Physical Therapy Concerns

I had the same experience after I developed severe hamstring tendonitis in both legs after being on cipro for 5 days because of a UTI. The Dr. sent me for PT when I was in extreme pain. It made my condition worse where I couldn't even move. I still have chronic pain after 3 yrs. I'm not anti PT but it does need to be administered at the right time. I'm happy that you've been seeing some improvement now. That's great news.

Yeah, I do NOT do PT as well. Every one of my Dr's want me to go to PT, but I flat out refuse to go. I had my 2nd back surgery last year (Aug 2025), first one was L3/L4 fusion back in 2020, which went fine. The one from last year the surgeon severed a nerve to remove a firbroma on my L5/S1 vertebra. That nerve went to my left leg. Now, my left leg, from the knee to the ankle is numb, so it's like Jell-O. My left foot is in constant pain 24/7, with neuropathy type jolts that are random and amp the pain up seriously. My foot is hypersensitive and just touching it is out of the question. Can't stand or walk on it, let alone put a shoe on it. I hobble around on a walker because i can't let it touch the ground. Knowing all this the Dr's still say to go to PT. I went once, and after telling them this, they still touch my foot to get an assesment. I was screaming so loud, that it freaked them out. So they admitted that they can't do anything for me. No duh. So, I don't go and just try and do my own PT at home. Even if I could go, I couldn't afford it. They would want to see my a couple of times a week, and that many copays is just out of the question. I'm not working and trying to get on disability.

@rockon79 Good morning, sorry to hear about your situation. I am writing regarding an opposite situation as far as PT is concerned. I had Lumbar Spinal Fusion surgery last November. This was with a very well respected spine surgeon that teaches around the world, and designs minimally invasive procedures that other spine surgeons will use.

I was never scheduled for PT or follow-up visits with my surgeon. I specifically asked the surgeon about scheduling PT about week prior to my surgery. He told me the surgery takes about an hour and a half, that I would stay overnight to recover, that I would be on my feet the day after, and be discharged that afternoon. And he told me I would be fine, totally blowing off even talking about PT.

The first 6 weeks after surgery you cannot bend, lift, or twist. Then you are supposed to set up PT to start moving, stretching, and getting steady on your feet. I finally set up my own PT back in January, and I have been to several PT offices this year. The last one I was at made my pain worse. The therapist was digging into locked muscles in my right side, and from that day until now (about a month), I have been in more pain and my muscles cramp at the slightest exertion of effort. This makes PT almost impossible, because I cannot do the exercises and stretches without me having to lay down.

My main point is to ensure you have PT set up ahead of time, before you have surgery. Then at a designated time, you can start moving and exercising again.

There are different kinds of PT …i had 2 of the standard ones and now have a PT therapist with extensive osteopathic background …i go every 2 weeks and she really focuses on my exact issue on each visit…the exercises are very gentle and she also works on my back, etc. it’s been a revelation . Fortunately each PT I got helped in its own way…..i also have an osteopath/MD who specializes in hands on manual therapy.

It’s difficult to find a pt who listens and understands your condition. I have had many sessions of pt. A couple of times they gave me more pain and I had to stop. Some exercises irritated the nerves and muscles. Now I prefer to do my exercises at home.

New to the group, 86 years old. I had surgery 2 years ago for spinal stenosis and live with pain due to additional stenosis and other issues. Pain isn't too bad if I behave. My doctor referred me to PT prior to the surgery and it really helped greatly. As did PT after the surgery.

Years ago, I ran 6 miles several times a week. When I didn't run for a week or 10 days, my shins hurt like heck the first few runs, then that pain was gone again. Pushing our bodies might hurt the first time out or 3, but I'm a real believer in PT and benefitted from it. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I had total knee replacement surgery. Pt was ordered at a brisk pace immediately. Because of certain conditions I had to stop opiates and pain meds. However I did do PT till that point and was released from PT by my doctor. That is when the biggest fibromyalgia flare kicked in and this one is extremely debilitating, almost crippling....My rheumatologist insists I should continue PT, but I have read material saying with fibro you need to go Slow, sometimes , like you, nothing until you are ready. I read current material and new research that explains the why and when and it does not always agree with mainstream medicine....Because fibromyalgia has no cure right now, I feel patients should be given leeway on deciding how to get and use care -a give and take relationship w/ your doctor because the protocols aren't really working well enough to make the calls definitively and until there is an actual cure this is a situation where collaboration is key....Like you I will refuse at the right times. I will not be bullied by doctors for protocols that are not proven cures or proven protocols that actually work across the board... and open for research and open adjustments and collaborations. Why should I be expected to listen when the treatments are not across the board in success for everyone...that type of authority seems invalid and are "best stabs" at things that sometimes work but not always.

@orest to add to my previous rant: be sure that your PT person for fibromyalgia knows what they are doing -many say they deal with fibro, but they really aren't. If they cause more pain they don't know what they are doing. the American Fibromyalgia Association (AFSA) has tons of great searches -look up Myofascial Trigger Points ( MTP )-it will blow your mind...ask your fibro doctor and or PT person if they know and subscribe to this information....if they don't find a new doctor if they don't want to learn about this.

@orest I do know that the "experts, whether Drs or PT professionals know much more text-book wise about PT than I do. But there is a certain common sense understanding about the basics of PT that is very accurate in judging it's effectiveness once tried. Combining that with what your body experiences during and after PT is a powerful and legitimate criteria to realize if that PT is beneficial or even appropriate for you as an INDIVIDUAL. Unfortunately, too many of these "experts" do not give enough credence to that feed back. The prescribing of PT when inappropriate can be just as damaging as prescribing a wrong drug! I believe too few Drs recommend PT without considering; is it for the proper condition, is it the appropriate time, what are the best procedures for that condition, the patient's physical limitations, provider's knowledge of specific difficulties and ability to provide for them and many more. At times I feel a patient is just plugged into a formula and Pt is the next thing on it so it's prescribed. Not every one in the field is like this, but there are enough that are, so in so many cases we have to become our own best advocate and that can be a challenge considering what most of us have to deal with!

@nycmusic another note—-I tell my PT at our sessions the minute I don’t feel neutral—-some people and PTs think ‘’no pain, no gain’’—avoid them ! Even a slight twinge can alert the PT to your issues, and to change course—assuming the PT listen and is responsive.