I had physical therapy last summer for my low back. There were some exercises that I just could not do. The therapist just kept saying that for fibro you need to exercise. Not if it makes me feel worse, duh.

I refused to do some of the exercises. Eventually my low back got better. I think it was the pain medication that helped me the most, until it healed on it's own.

I'm sorry you are in so much pain. If the PT is not helping and making it worse, I would talk to your doctor again and tell him you can't go on with it. We are different than the average patient. They need to realize this.

Hi Milly. I had physical therapist for an injured rotator cuff and for fibromyalgia. I don't think that physical therapists understand fibromyalgia and the poor muscle recovery that it causes. I specifically requested Aqua therapy for my physical therapy because I knew that it would be easier for my muscles and joints. I was able to do the therapy in a heated pool and it was helpful. I explained to the therapist from the beginning that I have fibromyalgia and that my muscles do not recover from physical activity like regular people. I went on to tell her that all human beings experience micro tears in their muscles throughout the day and that normal people sleep and secrete growth hormone and their muscles get repaired. I told her that
people that have fibromyalgia don't get deep, refreshing, restorative sleep and don't secrete enough growth hormone and these tears cannot heal. We need extra recovery time and cannot over exert ourselves because it will cause painful flares. After I told her this she said that she would limit my reps and told me to take stretch breaks when needed. She would let me go at my own pace and stop whenever I needed to. I let her know all of this before we even started our first session, because I wanted to make sure she understood my limitations. I did PT years ago, but I still do Aqua therapy with the routine that she taught me.

Perhaps you can try to see if you can do Aqua therapy for your condition. Also, maybe you can take in some literature about fibromyalgia describing our poor muscle recovery and why you need to pace yourself. Above all, communicate your needs to the therapist. They must learn that a once size fits all approach is detrimental to one suffering from fibromyalgia. Best Wishes!

I had PT for a lower back problem. I think that physical therapists have an agenda and a one size fits all attitude. I practically came to blows with my therapist. We agreed to disagree on the whole process which was exhausting me and making me worse. In the end, I got a massage in place of doing a work out. That helped more than anything else that was tried. Yes, PT can be painful but there is a whole different set of parameters with FMS that doesn't get acknowledged by those folks.

Go back to your doctor and insist on the MRI. It has been long enough and it doesn't seem like you've had any improvement. Take care.

I agree with coacoa, aqua therapy works well. I used to do it in Michigan, but I can't afford it anymore. I had forgotten about that.

I did best with warm water therapy, and taking my own pace and marking my own limits. I have yet to meet a PT who realizes fibro is *real* and not just "something to push through*, but that's their training. THey think you can "push through" torn groins, etc, too, an dthat's BS.

If what they do hurts, and the pain lasts more than five-ten minutes? Tell them. There can be unseen injuries, and being stressed or tense makes PT tougher, too.

And for crying out loud (aside) How stupid is the PT?! Tendons and machines?! Are tehy insane?! NO no no no no no no no. Tendons and ligaments and cartilage take for-freaking-ever to heal. Aggravate them while they're trying to heal, and you can get chronic issues. Tendons do *not* take well to being "pushed". ONce they're inflamed, or the synovial sheath is? Months of healing instead of weeks. And you can tell the PT I said that. I've had people push me for torn soft tissues in my pelvis, and it's partly why I have trouble to this day. PUshing me to heal on a schedule designed for "people with this injury who have no other issues and are about 25 and in great health"? Severely wrong.

Luck and blessings, and if it helps? Saythe doc won't let you use the machines till the MRI is over, and if they call you out, say you misunderstood.... Could buy you some time?

I am so glad I cancelled PT yesterday - I really needed that physically and emotionally. I took it easy - ordered take out for dinner and didnt do any dishes and iced my arms a lot. I have been icing for over 2 months now - heat does nothing.

I have found PT most helpful in the past by learning the proper stretches and well thats about it. Also, I have done water therapy many times for my low back and fibromyalgia in general. I learned a routine from a therapist and then did it on my own. I was actually planning on starting water therapy on my own again after the new year but my arms went to crap before then. I am not sure water therapy would help the 3 messed up tendons at this point.

I have been to many therapists over the last 13 years they always tell you they understand fibro in the beginning , but I eventually find out they really dont. I did explain to my current therapist all about me and fibro.

Leo - I totally agree with what you said about tendons. From what I have read in multiple sources is you dont use machines etc until there is significant improvement in pain because that means there has been healing.

Thank you ida, Cocoa, Fantod , and Leo for your replies. It helps to know my train of thought regarding me and PT wasnt off base - I was doubting myself about what I knew in my gut to be true and feeling like failure.