My pain Doctor has sent me to an orthopaedic surgeon for spinal stenosis tomorrow. As I am a caregiver, being laid up for a time would create problems. I wondered if anyone out there has ever tried laser therapy for spinal stenosis. I am an active 75 year old. Leslie324
@leslie324. I just wrote about my experience with ART, Active Release Technique therapy. I have spinal stenosis and herniated disks at L4-L5, and degenerative disk disease. Last December, 2016, I had a laminectomy on my L5-S1. It was completely successful and my pain was relieved. However, I still had constant pain in my right hip buttock, thigh, knee, calf and foot. I had trouble walking and couldn't go up or down steps without great pain and difficulty.
My surgeon encouraged me to explore all other ways to decrease pain as surgery would be major. He had me start with Physical Therapy, which I went to for 3 months with no relief. Then, someone on Mayo Connect said they tried ART Therapy and said it worked for them. I researched it on Google, and found a chiropractor who had multiple ART training certifications. I then I researched him, and asked a trusted masseuse who he would recommend for ART. He gave me the name of the same doctor I had picked myself.
I saw Dr. Andrews for 6 sessions, 2 a week for 3 weeks. Then I have seen him once a month for 3 months. I felt better immediately after my first session and each session left me doing better. Now after 4 months, I am essentially pain free. During this time I have also withdrawn from 3 different pain medications. With each one I stopped taking I felt better. (By the way refuse to take Gabapentin or Lyrica--bad meds for pain.) I am now almost finished withdrawing from Tramadol 50 mg. Next week I m finished.
I have no pain walking and no pain going up or down stairs! It's totally amazing to me how well the ART Therapy has worked. It works by doing very deep muscle/ligament massage at the same time they are moving various parts of your body. The purpose is to release nerves and muscles that gotten bound together. It worked for me and I can't say enough good things about it. I hope this is helpful for you.
Thanks,
Gail B
My pain Doctor has sent me to an orthopaedic surgeon for spinal stenosis tomorrow. As I am a caregiver, being laid up for a time would create problems. I wondered if anyone out there has ever tried laser therapy for spinal stenosis. I am an active 75 year old. Leslie324
I forgot to say that part of the ART Therapy used Laser treatment to heat the muscles/ligaments in the area being worked on, allowing the muscles to become more relaxed so they can "let go" more easily. I think it helped, but I didn't try ART without laser treatment. My sessions were $95.00 each. Pricey but worth it. I live in the LA area.
My pain Doctor has sent me to an orthopaedic surgeon for spinal stenosis tomorrow. As I am a caregiver, being laid up for a time would create problems. I wondered if anyone out there has ever tried laser therapy for spinal stenosis. I am an active 75 year old. Leslie324
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
Hi, @leslie324. I'm so glad you have seen some improvement. However, I am surprised that the laser therapy caused any pain. It's not supposed to, according to the literature I've read and the experiences I have had. In fact, it is supposed to reduce pain. Did you ask the doctor why you had pain from it? I also am curious to know which laser therapy "machine" your doctor uses. Mine uses what is described as a "multi
-wave locked system" and I have had it rotating on one of my problem areas for probably 12-15 minutes at a time. It took five sessions for pain I had had for years to disappear. Best wishes and keep us updated.
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
Greetings Mamie!
I was really seeing improvement last week and was able to shop and walk a mile last Sat. Then I tried to teach Rory, our Cocker Spaniel, to play soccer. Tripped over kitchen trash can, hit head and neck on wall, fell and landed on sit bones. Shattered radius in left arm for 4th time, bruised ribs and badly hurt S1. Spent 3 days in hospital. Am home now and catching up on sleep. Supposedly I can return for therapy next week. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and concern. Leslie324
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
You won't believe my latest disaster. In Week #3 of laser and spinal decompression therapy. We decided our hyper cocker spaniel would like to learn soccer with a small stuffed soccer ball. I just let go with a hard kick, fell over the kitchen trash can, slammed into a wall and landed on my lower back. Spent 3 days in hospital with broken wrist, bruised ribs, incredibly painful back. Came home finally but sent right back to reset bone with cast from fingers to shoulder. Back and rib pain excruciating. Will try going back to chiropractor this week. At 75, I guess my soccer days are over! Leslie324
Hi, @leslie324. I'm so glad you have seen some improvement. However, I am surprised that the laser therapy caused any pain. It's not supposed to, according to the literature I've read and the experiences I have had. In fact, it is supposed to reduce pain. Did you ask the doctor why you had pain from it? I also am curious to know which laser therapy "machine" your doctor uses. Mine uses what is described as a "multi
-wave locked system" and I have had it rotating on one of my problem areas for probably 12-15 minutes at a time. It took five sessions for pain I had had for years to disappear. Best wishes and keep us updated.
Doctor said inflammation around S1 very severe. He postponed spinal manipulation until week 4 but, of course, I was back in hospital then. He uses a Class 4 laser. Thank you for the good wishes. Leslie324
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@leslie324. I just wrote about my experience with ART, Active Release Technique therapy. I have spinal stenosis and herniated disks at L4-L5, and degenerative disk disease. Last December, 2016, I had a laminectomy on my L5-S1. It was completely successful and my pain was relieved. However, I still had constant pain in my right hip buttock, thigh, knee, calf and foot. I had trouble walking and couldn't go up or down steps without great pain and difficulty.
My surgeon encouraged me to explore all other ways to decrease pain as surgery would be major. He had me start with Physical Therapy, which I went to for 3 months with no relief. Then, someone on Mayo Connect said they tried ART Therapy and said it worked for them. I researched it on Google, and found a chiropractor who had multiple ART training certifications. I then I researched him, and asked a trusted masseuse who he would recommend for ART. He gave me the name of the same doctor I had picked myself.
I saw Dr. Andrews for 6 sessions, 2 a week for 3 weeks. Then I have seen him once a month for 3 months. I felt better immediately after my first session and each session left me doing better. Now after 4 months, I am essentially pain free. During this time I have also withdrawn from 3 different pain medications. With each one I stopped taking I felt better. (By the way refuse to take Gabapentin or Lyrica--bad meds for pain.) I am now almost finished withdrawing from Tramadol 50 mg. Next week I m finished.
I have no pain walking and no pain going up or down stairs! It's totally amazing to me how well the ART Therapy has worked. It works by doing very deep muscle/ligament massage at the same time they are moving various parts of your body. The purpose is to release nerves and muscles that gotten bound together. It worked for me and I can't say enough good things about it. I hope this is helpful for you.
Thanks,
Gail B
I forgot to say that part of the ART Therapy used Laser treatment to heat the muscles/ligaments in the area being worked on, allowing the muscles to become more relaxed so they can "let go" more easily. I think it helped, but I didn't try ART without laser treatment. My sessions were $95.00 each. Pricey but worth it. I live in the LA area.
Thank you Gail. Your pain sounds exactly like mine. I will meet with the chiropractor on Thursday. Hope he can help.
Since several of you have asked about my laser therapy, today was my second visit. I will admit that I had some days of major pain after visit #1. The only reason I went back was because I am out of options for any other solution. Today, however, I had both class 4 laser treatment and spinal decompression. And, for the first time in a very long time, I was able to stand on my feet and actually cook dinner. I also attended a 2 hour meeting on a very uncomfortable chair. I am cautiously optimistic but aware of how much inflammation I must deal with. Will keep you posted. I really appreciate this group's support. Leslie324
Hi, @leslie324. I'm so glad you have seen some improvement. However, I am surprised that the laser therapy caused any pain. It's not supposed to, according to the literature I've read and the experiences I have had. In fact, it is supposed to reduce pain. Did you ask the doctor why you had pain from it? I also am curious to know which laser therapy "machine" your doctor uses. Mine uses what is described as a "multi
-wave locked system" and I have had it rotating on one of my problem areas for probably 12-15 minutes at a time. It took five sessions for pain I had had for years to disappear. Best wishes and keep us updated.
Hi, @leslie324
How are you doing? DId you get any more laser treatments? I hope all is going well.
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1 ReactionGreetings Mamie!
I was really seeing improvement last week and was able to shop and walk a mile last Sat. Then I tried to teach Rory, our Cocker Spaniel, to play soccer. Tripped over kitchen trash can, hit head and neck on wall, fell and landed on sit bones. Shattered radius in left arm for 4th time, bruised ribs and badly hurt S1. Spent 3 days in hospital. Am home now and catching up on sleep. Supposedly I can return for therapy next week. Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and concern. Leslie324
Oh, my gosh! I wish you a quick recovery from your recent injuries and a return to continued overall improvement.
You won't believe my latest disaster. In Week #3 of laser and spinal decompression therapy. We decided our hyper cocker spaniel would like to learn soccer with a small stuffed soccer ball. I just let go with a hard kick, fell over the kitchen trash can, slammed into a wall and landed on my lower back. Spent 3 days in hospital with broken wrist, bruised ribs, incredibly painful back. Came home finally but sent right back to reset bone with cast from fingers to shoulder. Back and rib pain excruciating. Will try going back to chiropractor this week. At 75, I guess my soccer days are over! Leslie324
Doctor said inflammation around S1 very severe. He postponed spinal manipulation until week 4 but, of course, I was back in hospital then. He uses a Class 4 laser. Thank you for the good wishes. Leslie324