Physical Therapy for Arthritis in the Spine?

Y

Yori2019

New Member
Hello:
Currently I was diagnosed with Arthritis in the spine, .... not Degenerative Disk that the previous dr. diagnosed without rx'ed med. The spine-specialist rx'ed Meloxicam 15 mg. is extremely helpful to the point as if I am no longer suffering from Arthritis, .... except after doing 'heavy to moderate garden work.' I'm an avid gardener, then this time of year, early Spring is very busy.

The specialist advised me to take Physical Therapy which is associated with his medical group.

Wondering whether I need 'Physical Therapy,' since there is very minor pain ONLY after having a moderate outdoor-work, mostly tending flowers which needs lifting and some digging in the soil?

Thanks for any inputs on this regard in advance.
 

I have arthritis in many areas and was in physical therapy. I have about 20 exercises I learned that help quite a bit but did not finish the PT due to the attitude of the PT therapist. She was too confronting for me and for no good reason imho. People will be people wherever we go. The assistant was extremely good though. Just can't go back. The exercises are helping me. I put a huge ice pack on my lower and upper backs at times and they help some too. I've heard that alternating heat with ice is good.
 
Ruthanne said:
I have arthritis in many areas and was in physical therapy. I have about 20 exercises I learned that help quite a bit but did not finish the PT due to the attitude of the PT therapist. She was too confronting for me and for no good reason imho. People will be people wherever we go. The assistant was extremely good though. Just can't go back. The exercises are helping me. I put a huge ice pack on my lower and upper backs at times and they help some too. I've heard that alternating heat with ice is good.
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I agree what you're saying, .... in the past I went Chiropractor for 'pinched nerve,' a leading one was a good one, but the assistant was once awhile rude to ask some, personal questions which I hate to answer, knowing that I came there for a help, not social conversation.

I've been using 'heating pad' whenever 'flare-up' which often happens after yard-work and heavy-type sewing. Otherwise, I'm fine with Arthritis. Also, a 25-30 minutes' rest with a heating pad whenever I start feeling 'pain' on my back.

A slip the specialist handed me is, in my guess tho', only 'routine' for him to help other medical staff out. The rx'ed med. with Tylenol 650 mg almost has been wiping out the pain in both Spine and Fingers. Then, I started to question myself, ... do I need one, spending time, 30-45 minutes twice or three times weekly? Besides, since I can not be a willing-patient, PT won't help me much which concerns me most. I do not like a damage my good experiences on all of those, wonderful and caring medical practitioners, now and in the future, as well.
 

I live with about 60 yrs of OA and it all hit my lower back when I was about 18 and headed to 81.

I did all types of work all my life and danced into my later 50's and was having FUN but did a lot of damage and OA advancement.

Then a hip replacement really messed me up in 2010.

I do a lot of stretching now and when I can go for cranio work and myofasial release work. I've lost 3 inches off my 5 5 frame.

Do what works for you. OP: I've heard of that drug you take, but I worry about side effects and damage from them.
 
jaminhealth said:
I live with about 60 yrs of OA and it all hit my lower back when I was about 18 and headed to 81.

I did all types of work all my life and danced into my later 50's and was having FUN but did a lot of damage and OA advancement.

Then a hip replacement really messed me up in 2010.

I do a lot of stretching now and when I can go for cranio work and myofasial release work. I've lost 3 inches off my 5 5 frame.

Do what works for you. OP: I've heard of that drug you take, but I worry about side effects and damage from them.
Click to expand...
I believe that Arthritis in the finger was due to a lot of typing when I was younger as an office secretary. Those, old days, we needed very strong and fast fingers to type through page after page unlike typing in the computer nowadays. Arthritis in the spine is partly blame that I almost fell off from attic last winter by stepping into a hole thinking one of steps of the attic. No-one in my household in the middle of day, but I, luckily pulled myself by holding both sides of the attic-ladder. It took for about 15 minutes, but a damage(Spine strain/stress) was done to the spine due to very careless mistake. Then, I'm really careful not making the same mistake by walking slowly whenever going into the attic that is almost a small-sized bed-room. Plus, my elderly age contributes Arthritis-flare-ups which I accept graciously. In my case, a bed-rest with heating pad on the back twice or 'as needed' basis during day and a good-nite sleep is a BIG help along with rx'ed meds. by the Spine Specialist.

As for meds I've been on is under Dr's care not getting adverse effect/bad side-effects. So far, there is none, luckily. I can eat well, sleep good and enjoy working outside as I wish. I've seeing both Arthritis/Spine specialist and GP every two to three months' period. Both are the best Drs. in this region where I live.
 
Yoga has my arthritic knee so much I'm thrilled. You could ask your doctor and therapist if it might help you.
 
Keesha said:
YOGA. That’s my physiotherapy for my back and body. It works incredibly well.
Being stationary for too long is the worst thing for me.
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I know nothing about Yoga....how long does a 'standard'? session last? Or, does a person just do the different moves till they become tired.
 
rgp said:
I know nothing about Yoga....how long does a 'standard'? session last? Or, does a person just do the different moves till they become tired.
Click to expand...
The thing I would recommend since you asked is to get yourself a DVD of Yoga for beginners. Your local library might have some DVD’s but in order for you to keep it up it needs to be exciting and enjoyable.
These DVD’s by ‘namaste yoga’ season one are just that.
It’s made for beginners and is excellent. There are clips of it online.

Here are pictures of what these dvd’s look like.
CF65F855-DE9A-4DD6-9F99-C4644D527EC6.jpg
These dvds are about 20 minutes long and are so soothing and relaxing; a perfect way to start the day.
There is soothing music and changing scenic background photography which is enchanting to watch.
Doing yoga is like putting oil in your joints so they work better as well as get rid of pain. While I’m much younger than most here I have had many broken bones so do understand that arthritic pain. My tailbone was shattered earlier in life as well as other bones. Avoiding sugar and doing yoga helps more than anything. A bit of cannabis now and then I also find therapeutic however I’m certainly not recommending it anyone; just mentioning what works well for myself.
95E1CD09-3816-4394-B9A3-35FEBD3D7B60.jpg
 
Keesha said:
YOGA. That’s my physiotherapy for my back and body. It works incredibly well.
Being stationary for too long is the worst thing for me.
Click to expand...
I can NOT completely rule out PT, since I have Arthritis in the spine which may get worse as I age.

However, before doing so, I try other methods, i.e. 'heating pad' on the back along with rest during a day. Also, 'back-brace with ice and hot' which I already ordered. My next appt. with Spine-Specialist is within two weeks, then I can bring up the subject. I've been on Meloxicam 15 mg and Tylenol 650 mg per day, both of which have no adverse, side effect and I'm VERY happy about med. regimen.

In my personal experience on Chiropractor, I did three times on weekly basis with 30 - 45 minutes' session each and it certainly helped after a bit more than two months' period session. During my GP's visit, I mentioned him about 'pinched-nerve,' and he told me take 'Aleve.' About few days later, the Pinched-nerve on the back of my neck completely vanished.

In my guess, both Aleve and Chiropractor resolved the 'Pinched-Nerve.'

That's said, reading others' threads with inputs on this board are truly beneficial.
 
I’ve used chiropractors when my back has been out of alignment and for pinched nerves which has helped greatly. Bending over the top of couches or anything that helped stretch out my back helped greatly. Taking pain medicine like Aleve or anti inflammatories aren’t things I can take since the hurt my stomach lining. Staying away from inflammatory foods worked better for me.



If doing yoga is too much then you could try doing individual stretches. Stretching should never be forced. Repetition increases stretching capacity so this usually gets easier over time.


Here are some basic stretches and a 10 minute video on basic stretches for elderly people


https://www.arthritis.org/living-wi...rkouts/simple-routines/dynamic-stretching.php




https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cRAzQZEMbNQ

Good luck
 
Keesha said:
The thing I would recommend since you asked is to get yourself a DVD of Yoga for beginners. Your local library might have some DVD’s but in order for you to keep it up it needs to be exciting and enjoyable.
These DVD’s by ‘namaste yoga’ season one are just that.
It’s made for beginners and is excellent. There are clips of it online.

Here are pictures of what these dvd’s look like.
View attachment 64933
These dvds are about 20 minutes long and are so soothing and relaxing; a perfect way to start the day.
There is soothing music and changing scenic background photography which is enchanting to watch.
Doing yoga is like putting oil in your joints so they work better as well as get rid of pain. While I’m much younger than most here I have had many broken bones so do understand that arthritic pain. My tailbone was shattered earlier in life as well as other bones. Avoiding sugar and doing yoga helps more than anything. A bit of cannabis now and then I also find therapeutic however I’m certainly not recommending it anyone; just mentioning what works well for myself.
View attachment 64934
Click to expand...


Thanks,..I'll look into them. However, that second photo, where the young ladies are sitting back on their heels,.......ain't never gunna happen...:rolleyes:
 
Hahaha rgp. Actually I added the wrong DVD. This is part two.
This might be too much.
A Balance ball routine to support your body while you exercise is an easier place to start. Especially if you are somewhat over weight and not very flexible.

Ill add a good DVD for that later when I find it but here’s part two.

96A38D0B-60AF-40E7-B488-08E8C0470BBB.jpg

Perhaps even less doable for you but might help others.
 

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