Have you ever had physical therapy? Did it hurt?

Yes, I am undegoing physical theraphy of my fractured left wrist for almost 3 weeks now. Little did I know that theraphy is not only massaging of the affected areas. My left hand will be covered with hot paraffin wax for 20 minutes, followed by putting in gel and undergo machine light for 10 minutes, followed by electric impulse for another 10 minutes and then massage and paper crumpling, hand exercises and all those things. So far theres an improvement and hopefully it will be back on its old self later. Doctors examination is covered by my health insurance but not the theraphy session which is draining my pocket.

Yes, I've had it for my back (after a car accident and stress-related problems) and BOTH shoulders (each developed tendonitis at different times!) and it does hurt, but there will come a time when you notice that the pain is gone. The back came first--the first time was because I didn't continue with my chiropracter (lower back) and the vertebrae as a result in my lower back are STILL messed up (I cannot lay flat on hard surfaces--my legs refuse to work). The second back session was my upper back (which still gives me some problems, but that's because I have horrible posture!). The two shoulders are strange--I think I injured the left one lifting a steel chair over my head (I had to get it off the porch!); by constantly using the right I aggrivated it, but then it turned out that we were making it worse--I had a bone spur in that shoulder! Once I got the surgery, I had to return to work in two days (they would have fired me, but what is better--someone working at 50% or less immediately, or someone working at 85% or more a month later?); it was a while before I got that round of physical therapy. Was this your first visit? It always hurts the first time, because you're not using those muscles yet. They have to get a beginning threshold of what you're capable of first, then chart your progress. The heat helps to relax the muscles so that they can move them more during therapy--once those muscles cool, they begin to contract. Talk to Ehab about what you can do AFTER for pain management--most therapists will help you with that. Good luck!

I do feel for you with this. I had physical therapy but first they did the heat packs, massage and ultrasound. It wasn't until later they put me on machines so it hurt but not as bad as it would have if they had done it from the beginning. I do know for some it can be exceedingly painful as it seems to be for you. From what I've observed and experienced it does get better as time goes on. I know that is very little comfort for you right now when you are in massive pain. You might want to talk with Ehab or even your doctor to see if perhaps they can break up the treatments so that you aren't having them all at once like that, doing perhaps fewer excercises or for a shorter time period and let you build up a bit. I have to admit three hours for a normal visit seems a bit long. Most I've seen are between an hour and an hour and a half.

Yes, I've been through PT and it was very difficult and very painful at times. I did mine after knee reconstruction for like 6 months so it was very difficult for me. You'll get the heat and massage maybe later, but for a finger injury those things aren't very useful.

I have had PT and it worked wonders! The sessions could certainly be painful, but in the end they did solve my back problem. Just be patient and stick with it, it'll help in the long run.

no i didnt have any but it shouldent hurt as i assume

Hello Girlgonefishing, I have been through physical therapy. And, I have an old, very dear friend who is a professional PTherapist. Although my friend lives in another state, so she was not my personal PT. I would say that the the therapist has everything to do with how well your rehab goes. This is true of the individual PT, as well as the PT organization. My own personal experience was not terribly impressive. It was was much like you describe your own experience -- painful, rushed, inattentive, and scattered. In fact, I found markedly better results from seeing a Rolfer, in conjunction with acupuncture. Of course, my issue related to my spine, not an extremity. Though, since both are skeleto-structural issues, I would think that the result would be similar. Rolfing is a physical therapy principle which focuses on restoring areas of trauma by re-aligning the myofascial, or soft, connective tissue that connects bone to tendons and ligaments. And, heaven knows that there's alot of myoascial tissue in the human hand. I don't know if you would be interested in seeking out a possible rolfing alternative to traditional physical therapy. Though, if you are you can find information about the description, theory, practice, and a listing of certified "master rolfers" in your area by accessing: The Ida P. Rolf Institute http://www.rolf.org/ or by researching local certified Rolfers in your phone book or on the internet. However you seek relief for your injury -- I wish you a full and speedy recovery!

I haven't had any physical therapy session yet but I always accompany my brother who had a knee operation for his therapy. I can feel it really hurts because I can see my brother's reaction...he is in pain...almost wanting to cry. What I do is to make him laugh so that he will not feel so pain. But unlike yours, his PT attends to him exclusively. Each patient has one therapist so they are never left alone doing what they are told to do. According to my brother, the succeeding sessions are much painful because of the increase in the intensity and the degree of the bendings they do.

Hello girlgonefishing! After i read your discussion,I have a lot of thinks!most of people have physical therapy,for me ,one time I play basketball on the play ground,unlucky ,I hurt my hand badly! My finger can not strach freely,and inorder to let the pain lower,I had to go to hospital and spent me 300yuan,so it is not only waste my money but also my time!When my hand become well ,I never go to play basketball!Now when you read this sicentances ,do you thinks I am not a brave boy?haha,it does not matter!everyone has everyone's thinks!

It is most likely that you are in pain. The therapist needs to assess your condition carefully before administering treatment per se. I had seen a lot of patient who are in pain, but their condition improved with physical therapist.