I'll bet! No one really wants to have surgery. I had a cervical fusion a few years ago and it was a long and slow process recovering. I am afraid of complications like drop foot but so far so good. Last neurological workup was good. Lifting seems to be my biggest problem with my back. I've always prided myself on being independent. It's a little depressing at times. I did get my Christmas decorating done but I paid for it physically.

I think I will take my current MRI to a physical therapist and see if they think they can help. I guess I would need a referral from my doctor first.

I have had my hip repaired (1972) and then replaced (2005). I have rotator cuff problems in both shoulders. I have been doing physical therapy for a long time. For my shoulders, sometimes I quit the exercises because I feel a whole bunch better. And then I do something stoopid and I have to restart the exercises. I am trying to avoid the surgery which a lot of people have related to me that the recovery is good once you get past the first six months!

I also have Meralgia Paresthetica in my left thigh. I have had steroid shots from four docs and many hours of PT. None work. It is something that I will take to the crematory.

My physical therapist was the first one I wrote out a Christmas card to this year. I had a knee issue which she began treating last January. She performed miracles as did another PT who helped several years ago with a frozen shoulder following a broken arm and wrist. They have lots of tricks up their sleeves which can help tremendously. My latest PT was trained in micro needling; combined with other exercises and manipulations.... relief!

I had knee troubles, and went to PT for a couple of months. It helped a lot.

Missy, the benefits of PT depend largely upon the problem. See the right orthopedic specialist and find out if a program would be helpful for you. And do your own research.

I have benefited enormously from PT and chiropractic over the years for knee, back, and shoulder problems, but I know that my much abused knees won't hold out forever.

PT is only as good as your therapist, given your own compliance. I've had very good outcomes for specific injuries. What it can definitely do for you is strengthen your back and lifting ability, and, if well designed, do so without impinging on your issues.

Good luck with it. Maintaining your independence is important!

May I also suggest a regular pilates class? I have osteopenia and attend a class only once a week, and it really makes a difference for me. If I miss it for a few weeks, I notice. Getting that core good and strong is key!

I did therapy, and every other alternative treatment for years before my back bones started pinching my spinal cord, and causing balance problems....then, very quickly had the surgery using bone grafts instead of pins and plates. Successfully....But, I still have pain and have had every kind of therapy for balance, with no success. I Do believe in therapy. My knees have gone too, now; so yoga or floor exercise is not an option, but I continue to use a "over 50" exercise place and keep things moving....not like I used to....but learning how to strengthen your core and keeping moving is important. Hope you find a really good therapist!

Thanks for the input. I think an assessment with a PT would be a good place to start. I'll check into getting a referral here soon while I have a current MRI.

I have SS....doing Yoga is helping. Keeping everything stretched out makes me mobile.

I think that getting the percentage of help it will give you is helpful. For my spinal stenosis it was temporary help. I faithfully did it twice a day, iced and heated and went to PT. They were great at teaching me what to do at home. In the end the condition has gotten worse and the moderate dull pain unstoppable. Also, my state requires the doctor to have the patient go thru PT and then shots in the side which hurt tremendously for me at least. If none of this works then surgery is an option. There are so many people with sciatica and spinal stenosis as well as other back pain. The surgery for me is a 50-50 chance of success. Redos are common. Didn't know any of these statistics.

As a PT, I recommend being an informed patient. Ask what the PT specializes in and what certifications they have. Ask about continuing education and board certification. Do they follow a specific school of thought when it comes to treating neck and back?

If your doctor gives you a prescription for just hot packs, ultrasound and massage, rip it up! If you find yourself with a PT who only does just that, find another one.

I'm a big believer in PT, and yes it has helped me feel better and learn what exercises to do to keep back pain at a minimum. I'm also a big fan of yoga and have a wonderful, skilled teacher in a gentle yoga class. I go 2X a week plus do a little at home. She teaches us how to do the poses without hurting ourselves.

Mimi, I bet you have helped a lot of people.

Thanks, socks. I hope I have ;-)

I recall Raven posting about a 'stretching' sort of machine that had helped her back. I don't remember the name, but you lie on it while it 'tugs' (stretches) your backbone. Anyone?

I had physical therapy following a total knee replacement. I guess it helped. I wouldn't have strained so hard to make sure my knee worked, if I hadn't had it. Knee works great by the way.....no pain and I can walk all day and never get tired and go up and down stairs all day.

I recall Raven posting about a 'stretching' sort of machine that had helped her back. I don't remember the name, but you lie on it while it 'tugs' (stretches) your backbone. Anyone?

*****

Traction.

Here is the site I started on the Kitchen table this year.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3229702/i-have-sciatica-and-need-others-stories?n=46

My diagnosis is mild spinal stenosis for now anyway and that's only reviewing a lumbar MRI. I suspect I also have it in thoracic spine and hopefully not in cervical spine, which I've read is more dangerous. I don't know, I just worry about it and wanted to mention it to see what others had experienced. At 71, I wonder how quickly it will progress if any at all. I've read it's common as we age and some people have it but it doesn't bother them.

I agree the heat packs, ultra sound..etc. is only temporary relief not really a solution. I can do some core strengthening here at home. I have a stability ball I should probably be using but would like to talk to a professional before I tackle it.

Thanks again.

Core training is so important. We all have to be able to have strong thighs and stomach to pick ourselves up no matter how our back it. Someone warned about that ball. You're right you need instructions on it. Maybe it was here. They said be careful. Anyway, there was lots of good advice on this post for when I was a beginner a couple of months ago. Good luck. I'm your age and just navigating this unexpected world that came to me one day.

I am hoping it will. The cast came off yesterday, but the only time they can schedule me in for first physical therapy session is NEXT Wednesday. I'm going to try to manipulate gently between these times! (I am sick of being stuck at home...)

If you have spinal stenosis very badly, be careful. No amount of PT would have helped me...mine got to the place where the stenosis cut off the nerves to my thigh and when I could not urinate, I was rushed to ER and then immediately to surgery where I was admitted as "serious condition". I was in therapy and home health care for 5 months....so do take care if spinal stenosis is advanced!

What about acupuncture, have you thought about that?

Physical therapy has helped me with a bad neck and bum knees.

I do a lot of running and strength gym work to support my running. I have an IT band and patella tendon that both flair up because of the way I run (right foot turns out slightly when running and despite the efforts of coaches and trainers it's more comfortable to run with it that way than to try to straighten it) anyway, my PT keeps it in check when flair ups occur.. I've been running for 40 years and Dave has kept me running for the last 15. I couldn't do it without him and no, giving up running is not an option, something of which he is fully aware.

Aug. 2014 I had surgery for spinal stenosis in my neck. The C5 vertebrae was completely removed and replaced with a titanium cage. The many bone spurs were smoothed and three disks fused. Though PT was scheduled, I didn't really need it. I healed perfectly with full range of motion and no pain. Yea!

My shoulders however were both torn after a Feb. 2013 tour of Southeast Asia carrying a heavy backpack. For some reason the neck surgery exacerbated the shoulder pain and I spent 9 months going through PT. The pain from the tears was incredible making sleep nearly impossible since I couldn't sleep on my back so soon after neck surgery.

I lucked out and found an incredible physical therapists who re-evaluated me each and every visit. He explained to me why, after a year of resting my shoulders (before the neck surgery and PT), they were not getting any better. After asking me a ton of questions he explained why I wasn't getting better and taught me not only exercises, which I half heartedly engaged, but also how to properly hold my body to allow my shoulders to rest and heal. I think this is the secret to a good therapist. I learned more about body mechanics in those months of PT than all the rest of my 62 years of life.

jodi reminded me to mention - some PT do specialize in specific parts of the body or specific activities. Mine happens to specialize in movement - specifically dance and running. Perhaps some phone calls to physical therapists who have been recommended to you and asking about their specialties might help.

The other thing that I have learned through the experiences of one of my running partners is that some PT's will only help you to the point of average normal daily function while others will take you to YOUR normal daily function - especially if it's beyond the average normal range.

My friend had torn her achilles tendon and the first PT would only take her to a walking level and refused to accept her for more treatments - he didn't believe that middle aged women should be running. She had to find another one who would treat her beyond that so that she could run again.

for those who missed my post. Many people on Kitchen Table shared valuable information that I look at as I go through this. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3229702/i-have-sciatica-and-need-others-stories?n=46

Also on Health where I didn't have as many posts on my questions about sciatica, there were some very good long posts for my benefit. It takes on lumbar area and the help they got. Please consider all the information poured into this question.