Physical therapy was a bad idea
@1creekgirl (44428)
United States
January 9, 2026 11:51am CST
After procedures and medications for my back (degenerative disc disease with severe arthritis), I decided to try physical therapy again.
Wednesday was my first visit. The therapist was very gentle and knowledgeable, but he had to find my pain limit with different exercises.
The next morning I was in extreme pain from a flare with Fibromyalgia. I decided PT probably isn't the best thing for my issues.
I have pain meds, I use a heating pad, cream pain meds, and now I'll try to do some of the exercises I learned.
The next step is possibly the Spinal Cord Stimulater. I don't want it, but it might help. We'll see, I guess.
Hope your day is going well. It's 71 here and feels like spring!
16 people like this
15 responses
@kaylachan (82932)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jan
If you ask me, I'd give it another shot. Tell the therapist what happened and see if they can help.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (82932)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jan
@1creekgirl I am not trying to tell you how to run your life. But, in my personal experience PT is painful, especially after being out for a while. In order to know if it's a fail, you need more than one session.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
@kaylachan It wasn't the PT that was so bad, it was the Fibromyalgia flare.
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@FourWalls (82736)
• United States
9 Jan
I have to be careful with letting my masseur work on my low back. It does not like him doing that AT ALL. I have a TENS unit that helps, along with gentle stretches and a pad I can heat up in the microwave.
Hope you get some things that bring relief. Back pain is awful.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (82736)
• United States
10 Jan
@1creekgirl — it does, along with lidocaine and Tylenol. However, my spondyolisthesis isn’t as severe as yours. I get relief from PT exercises and the “simple” treatments, which sadly don’t seem to be helping you as much. 
I would ask to try that before they would go putting something in me!
I would ask to try that before they would go putting something in me!1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
@FourWalls I really dread the SCS being implanted. But I think I've tried everything else. I'll see how the temporary trial goes.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
9 Jan
Does your tens machine help? That SCS is an implantable one.
1 person likes this
@much2say (57761)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Jan
I hope you find the right "formula" that works for your back. I know there are many professionals out there who help to manage things, but everyones pains and issues are different. So we have to "feel" what works and what doesn't. Give each possible help some time . . . I know with PT most folks are quite sore after those sessions. Take care. And Happy New Year to you and your family!
1 person likes this
@much2say (57761)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Jan
@1creekgirl May you find relief for your back very soon!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (492687)
• Italy
11 Jan
@1creekgirl - Physical therapy can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms, but you really need to find the right therapist.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
If I didn't have Fibromyalgia, it might not have been so bad.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (213083)
• United States
10 Jan
I'm so, so sorry. I found that PT wasn't for me either. I hope you can find something to relieve the pain. Sending a prayer.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
Thank you so much, Linda, for your concern and prayers.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (213083)
• United States
11 Jan
@1creekgirl You're very welcome. Please keep me posted.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (167604)
• United States
10 Jan
I have a small tens unit and I have seen some that are designed specifically for the back. Thankfully I do not have back problems, but I do have fibro. My brother has had multiple back and neck surgeries. They did the trial of the SCS but it was not helpful for him, but I know it is helpful for many.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
I'm sorry it didn't help your brother.
You know how bad Fibro can be. I don't have a problem with it every day, but a flare is terrible.
@snowy22315 (202570)
• United States
9 Jan
I guess it is trial and error to find something that gives you relief. Have you tried a TENS device? Alot of people have good things to say about them.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
I'm in the process of trying an implantable device, a Spinal cord stimulater. I'll do a trial before a final decision. I really don't want to do it, but we'll see.
@luisadannointed (10127)
• Philippines
10 Jan
Sorry for that, and I hope the pain that you felt was just an initial reaction when you are not yet immune to do exercise.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (167296)
• United States
9 Jan
I'm sorry the therapy session gave you more pain and hope you feel better quickly.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (93945)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jan
If it is not for you, then certainly try something else, and I hope you will feel better.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (93945)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jan
@1creekgirl All right, and even better since my SS arrived as usual and I got to order my monthly groceries.Many blessings to you and I do hope you find a way to ease the pain,
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
Thank you so much, Rasma. How are you doing?
1 person likes this
@sallypup (67903)
• Centralia, Washington
9 Jan
Physical therapy is very painful. It also helps strengthen weak muscles and for me, that is not at all fun. Why go through those horrible exercises? To keep me upright and out of a wheelchair. I have found exercising in a pool is the best thing for me. I am lucky that I found a warm water, shallow pool to work out in. I have arthritis, Fibro, bone on bone in my knees, you name it. So I stay off ex. machines but go to the pool twice a week.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (67903)
• Centralia, Washington
9 Jan
@1creekgirl Thanks. The physical therapist said my workouts in the pool are keeping me able to still walk. My sciatica wakes up very easily.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
10 Jan
I have so much to thank God for, but I do get discouraged at times.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (371070)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan
@1creekgirl Anybody would. I'm amazed you stay as upbeat as you do. I'd be a snivelling wreck I'm sure.
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@1creekgirl (44428)
• United States
9 Jan
Thank you Amber. Your prayers mean the world to me.
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