Anyone here been to a physiotherapist?

[Fassa Albrecht]

It's looking increasingly likely I'm going to be referred to a physio regarding my wrist troubles and RSI.

So I was wondering what I should expect from a session with them. What is it like? Is there any pain involved?


Thanks!

[MysticMichael]

Yes, extensively. Although I doubt that you'll be able to extrapolate much from my experience, as it involves recovery from serious injuries to my spine, extensive paralysis of my legs and feet, and many months of physical therapy to help me recover the ability to walk again...

So in my case we're talking the tendons and large muscles of the buttocks, thighs and calves - not the small, delicate tendons and muscles of the wrists and hands.

Will it hurt? Possibly. More than likely they'll have you carefully perform a number of range of motion exercises, warming your wrists/hands in heat pads, and possibly wearing some wrist guards temporarily when you're not in therapy...

MM

[peterbright]

Yes & ended up with surgery on both wrists anyway.

[jenderfazz]

Physio will attempt to increase your range of motion/strength back to normal, which of course will take exercises and manual therapy, and they might hurt or make your muscles a little sore. But they also apply heat, ultrasound, etc. to try to alleviate the pain a little. Overall they can work wonders, but you have to be willing to take care of your wrists, exercise at home, and follow their advice. They will get you on the right track, though healing sometimes takes years. And, as peterbright mentioned, sometimes surgery is the only option before physical therapy can be useful.

[Toasted]

Yes I have. I had to take my clothes off, so I was glad I left my Thomas The Tank engine pants at home that day.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

It is generally a way to try and avoid surgeory, but it is never certain. You will need to make sure you do your excersises at home as asked, or you wont get anywhere.

My dad has just retired from being a certified physio for the past 30 years, working with various football clubs before being senior at the local hospital

[Phantopeth]

I have no experiences with physiotherapy, but I can refer to a friend of mine who's close enough:

[matt"bass"]

I had trouble with my feet and ankles for many years when i was a lot younger. Even though I am only 18 the course of treatment went on for the best part of 5-6 years.
There was lots of manipulatation, some of which was painful. But for me it was a more inventive excuse of getting time off school.

[kydnav]

Originally Posted by Phantopeth

I have no experiences with physiotherapy, but I can refer to a friend of mine who's close enough:

"Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first analrapist."

I love that show! <3

[flakeh]

Yes, I have had physio, I have ongoing physio to prevent my neck from ceasing, I have had physio for back injuries, serious leg injuries, near paralysis on my right arm. Will it hurt for a sore wrist and RSI, No.

Now, I have had CTS, and tendinitis in my wrists, which are close relatives to RSI, And I did not need physio, even after my wrist could not move. I was put in a wrist splint and could not play for several weeks.

Btw, the more you play while having RSI, The more you **** yourself over. You're digging yourself into a deep hole of pain and possible complications needing surgery. Have fun.

[Petebass]

I had extensive physio in the past (motorbike accident, and to cure migranes) and had excellent results. I recently had some on my wrists. A typical wrist session was a combination of:-
* Ice packs,
* ultrasound
* those very cool electro-stimulation pads
* a massage of the affected area
* and some simple exercises.

........none of which were painful.

The electro pads "can" cause some involuntary muscle contractions, but they don't hurt. It's a strange sensation at first but once you learn not to fight it, it actually feels quite nice, almost like a massage.

The kicker is the "homework". They WILL give you some and if you do it, you WILL feel better, and you will need to go to the physio less often, if at all. I only needed 3 sessions and because I do my exercises, I haven't had to go back for 5 months and counting.

There is a particular procedure which does hurt. If they tell you they need to "do a traction", then it's time to worry. I had to have it done after the motorbike accident because my scaphoid bone was jammed. It involves having a big strong person grab your hand and pull it until your wrist dislocates. While the joint is out, the physio digs their fingers in there to manipulate the scaphoid back into position. don't worry, a jammed scaphoid is usually the result of a hard hit, not a typical RSI injury and I'm pretty sure you won't need it.