jaki
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Posts: 24
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Post by jaki on Sept 6, 2007 0:15:50 GMT -5
Has anyone here seen a physical therapist? I'm going to one on wednesday as suggested by this specialist I went to. He said that if you build up the pelvic muscles they won't contract as much.
I would like to know what exactly a women's physical therapist does to help this. I looked it up online, but it was very generic and refered to the entire body as opposed to the pelvic region.
I'd like to know what is going to happen. No one has really been specific with me about it. They've all said I'd understand when I talk to the therapist. My problem with that is that I'm more likely to go along with something I'm unsure of if I haven't had time to evaluate what's going to happen.
I'm dying to hear what any of you have experienced.
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Post by puddleduck on Sept 6, 2007 5:37:06 GMT -5
Hi, I'm really interested in this, too. I requested a referral to a physiotherapist with an interest in pelvic conditions, but my specialist said no (no reason given...only that he would choose to sent me to pain management instead, and that means drugs and I'd prefer physiotherapy to drugs). I'm still trying to find out more. In particular I'd like to know whether they can help the function of specific areas of the pelvis through different types of exercise, or if they can check out their function and monitor them, and also help you learn how to avoid straining certain muscles or part of the pelvis unnecesarily. (I don't mean things like Kegel exercises for the pelvic floor).
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Post by erzulie on Sept 6, 2007 8:37:46 GMT -5
Jaki, I am in physical therapy for an unrealted problem, but I didn't know that you could see one to help with endometriosis! Please update us all on what happens when you go, because i'm curious about what will happen too! It'll also be nice to see if it helps you. If it does, that will be soemthing new we can all try. We're always looking for non-drug-related solutions!
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Post by camille on Sept 6, 2007 9:08:27 GMT -5
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jaki
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by jaki on Sept 7, 2007 2:15:59 GMT -5
Apparently, it helps endometriosis by strengthening your muscles. When your muscles are stronger, they spasm less, which reduces pain. This is what my doctor said. I'm up for anything that's not too drastic right now, so I'm going for it. I'll update you guys later this week and let you know how it goes.
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Post by kb on Sept 7, 2007 21:38:52 GMT -5
It makes alota sense. Ive never heard of it being used as a treatment, but it really does make plenty of sense. Ill keep that in mind when im exercising, that i need strength there too, generally i avoid using those muscles for obvious reasons, but yeah can see later it would be of benefit.
Plus would have to help blood supply to the pelvis, and circulation is the big focus in chinese medicine isnt it.
Am keen to hear more on it, let us know how it goes.
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Post by anneny on Sept 8, 2007 10:02:25 GMT -5
I'm going to my first appt in a couple weeks. Here's the website of the place I'm going. www.hdphysicaltherapy.com/aboutus.htmlThey have some useful links for different types of pelvic pain and a brief news video with a testimonial and some examples of what they do. Endo isn't specifically mentioned, but my doc recommended it as a non-medical treatment while we're trying to get pregnant. This is really exciting for me because they treat a few other things I struggle with, too, like migraines, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and nerve pain. I'll keep y'all updated after the appointment.
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jaki
New Member
Posts: 24
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Post by jaki on Sept 17, 2007 12:18:30 GMT -5
Well, I went to my first appointment and it was really interesting. When I was growing up, I had a lot of trouble with scoliosis. I have a hemi-vertebrae and one of my legs is considerably shorter than the other. When I was about 12 they told me that I had grown all that I was going to and everything looked okay, so i didn't have to go to the doctor anymore. Well, my therapist took one look at me and said, "you do know you have scoliosis, don't you?" I hadn't even told her. She said that my back never aligned correctly and while I was growing, it twisted my pelvis into an awkward position, so all my muscles are being stretched over the left side of my pelvis and are getting very inflamed. Plus, all the nerves to my bladder and other parts of my pelvic region are all lined up in the muscles that are stretching and swelling, n whatnot.
So, I'm doing exercises for my back and pelvic area. Plus, she's teaching me breathing techniques.
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Post by anneny on Sept 17, 2007 18:27:04 GMT -5
That's great, jaki! Not the misalignment, obviously, but that the therapist was able to spot it and give you some exercises. It won't cure your endo, but it may relieve a lot of unnecessary pain. The physical therapist my doctor recommended is seeing me next week, so it's great to hear that you found it helpful.
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Post by anneny on Oct 10, 2007 13:36:24 GMT -5
Okay, so it's been three weeks since I started physical therapy, and it has made a huge difference. The only two things I've done differently in this cycle are eating gluten-free and going to physical therapy. I've also been able to be much more active because of being in less pain. I only had about 36 hours of intense pain with this period!! (Usually it's ten days, so a day and a half is incredible.) The physical therapy has really helped to relax and strengthen the muscles of my hips, pelvis and abdomen, as well as re-aligning my posture. The sessions themselves are mostly massage and stretching, plus some biofeedback. I do more stretching and breathing exercises on my own. Yesterday I went and was in incredible pain from endo on the second day of my period. the physical therapist used a huge heating pad with moist heat to relax my abdomen, helped me control my breath, and then began some massage and stretching. By the time she finished, I had almost no pain, and was able to function normally the rest of the day. Because I had my period, she couldn't even do the targeted work she usually does, and it still gave me as much relief as a prescription painkiller, without any of the yucky side effects. PT isn't going to cure my endo, but it has really done wonders to help me manage it. The therapist has shown me how to get rid of some of the muscle pain associated with endo, which means that the pain I feel is only that directly caused by the disease, not the cramping and gripping that our bodies do in response to the pain. That said, I'm sure some of the success has to do with avoiding gluten, because that apparently reduces inflammation. Still, if you are able to see a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic pain, it's probably worth a try.
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Post by pickles on Oct 16, 2007 3:13:32 GMT -5
There is a place called Clear Passage Therapies online. clearpassage.com is their site. This is a clinic that is specific to Infertility and Endo. Their success rate is outstanding. I personally have not gotten the therapy done, but I am interested in it. There is a bit of an expense to it, but if it makes my pain go away and allows me to still have children one day, hey I am willing to try that rather than some weird drug that makes me go through menopause again at the age of 28. Lupron worked for me the first time until I went off of it. But I am starting to want to do things in a totally different manner now.
I think there is something to this. If anyone has gone to the clinic or knows of someone who has and if it has worked for them could you please share?
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Post by puddleduck on Oct 16, 2007 4:50:07 GMT -5
Anneny, Good to hear that the appointment was such a success. I've yet to find a specialist physiotherapist for pelvic conditions where I am, but will keep looking.
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Post by ouchy on Oct 16, 2007 7:28:46 GMT -5
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Post by anneny on Oct 16, 2007 12:42:12 GMT -5
pickles, Some physical therapists take health insurance, so it might be worth asking. In New York, you have to have a doctor's prescription to see a physical therapist, and most of them take insurance. If mine didn't, I wouldn't be able to go. I hope you find a way to try it.
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Post by pickles on Oct 16, 2007 15:35:25 GMT -5
Wow really? We don't have to do that in Minnesota. My employer just switched us to a high deductible health insurance plan. My deductible is $2200.00 a year. After I meet the $2200. everything is supposed to be covered 100%. If that doesn't work I get a couple of bonuses a year for uniform maintenance and I might just save that up with some money from overtime over the next few months and try to do it that way. Hopefully my doc will know about it and agree to refer me for it so my insurance will do something. Thanks though.
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