2 replies to this topic

[poizon74]

I wanted to point this out because since I started physical therapy again I've been bombarded with different exercises, stretches, advice, etc and I wanted to give my opinion as to what has seemed to have some effect.

Icing my lower back has absolutely helped with the swelling I was experiencing, I recommend it to anyone that has swelling, it definitely helps.

I think in general exercise has helped too. I am able to walk and have found that the more I walk the better I can walk (better balance etc). Other strengthening exercises work too but very slowly. Just exercising in any way you can (once you're able) is great for overall physical health of course. Being immobile for so long I lost a lot of muscle mass and finally exercising again has certainly improved my overall health, no doubt.

However, what seems to be most substantial to me recently has been various stretches which my therapist calls "nerve glides". We tried many different stretches and some had little or no effect or sensation in my legs and feet, but some really did. The first time she had me sit on the floor and stretch out my legs straight I instantly felt the tightness (almost pain) behind my knee. When I said I felt the pulling tightness she said to keep doing that stretch then. Man was she right! I could notice after I did stretch my legs for a while I felt light tingling in my feet (where most of my pain and numbness still is). After only a couple of days of doing this stretch the sensation in my feet has greatly improved! There were a few others that we did that had some effect too.

Basically I came to realize that I had felt that tightness in my legs very often but didn't do much about it. I'd sorta stretch when I stood up from sitting but that's it. I didn't relate the tight feeling in my legs to the pain and pins and needles in my feet, but they were related! I'm no therapists but from my experience I'd say if you try a stretch that seems hard or causes some light pain/stiffness (not substantial pain! don't piss off the nerves!) you should try and work on it. Even if it seems unrelated it can sometimes help with nerve pain in other areas of the body (in my experience anyway).

[JimG]

One of my 3 PTs is a muscle activation specialist and uses stretching and massage on pressure points to stimulate the muscles.

It helps.

We can tell a difference from when I walk into the clinic before my appt. to when I leave after a session with her in the difference in my gait.

OTOH.....

They don't want me to stretch certain muscle groups, b/c they say the tightness is actually keeping me from falling down as the tight muscle acts as a brace/resistance from my going too far.

For instance.....I have drop foot in both feet, and they want my calves and achilles tendon to remain tight as a brace against my falling forward.

[poizon74]

hmmmm interested that you might want the muscles to remain tight... I hadn't thought of that.

still I think the connect between tight muscles and damaged nerves doesn't seem obvious, but it is absolutely real!