Well Sue, Im glad you have decided to give pt a try. I have seen such improvement in myself and others for so many different injuries/conditions. I hope that you find some relief and strength. I know it seems like a long haul but hopefully at the end you will be able to live a more comfortable life.

Therapy can be very effective. It is good to have the exercises. I think our bodies appreciate the attention.

I drive 30 minutes to get to a park at a lower altitude...to go running! It's worth the drive. ☺ Welcome to club work-out! ♥

I am so happy to see this. I am sure you will feel better soon.

I’m so sorry you are in back pain, but glad you have started PT. My cousin does PT for scoliosis, and is getting as much in as she can before knee replacement surgery. She takes her pain medication before she goes. She and my aunt both report that they feel worse the day after PT (aunt has spinal stenosis) but do have better range of motion.

Now to pay attention to my own posture!

I'm grateful for your support!

I was pretty surprised that I had such a hard time finding a place that 'did' spines.

I'd like to be able to stop taking so much pain relief, but yes, I know to take something prior to appointments/exercises. (Learned that after hip replacements.)

Just filling out the health questionnaire is discouraging when you've had so many surgeries. I've been very profitable for hospitals and providers in my 80 years.

Good luck and best wishes for feeling better.

A 30 minute drive is a minor inconvenience if it gets you to someone who can help you.

Physio has helped me with hip issues, back issues and now shoulder issues. For me, though, the most important part has been the educational aspect - understanding what needs to be done to correct (or at least ease) the problem- and then religiously following through with the exercises at home afterwards. Strengthening the core is the key to a lot of things, particularly when it comes to the back. It's worth the drive to get that education .

I'm starting a new thread, seeking a decent office chair.

physicaL therapy works

Whatever office chair you get, also buy a cheap timer. Sitting for long periods, even in the best chair, is not a good thing for wonky backs. I set mine for 30 minutes.

I think this will be very helpful to you. Good for you and best wishes.

That sounds painful! Years ago i went to pt for my shoulder and never felt that it helped. Last year I went for my lower back and it helped a lot. I have been erratic about doing the exercises at home, but i will admit that it helps when i stick to it. Now i have a hip problem. Bursitis. The PA said to try pt but i havent yet. You are giving me the impetus to get going on it. I am so tired of aches and pains.

Do you have to get down on the floor for these exercises, Sue? I wouldn't be able to do that. I looked up Schroth practitioners several years ago, but the nearest one was 3.5 hours away. A surgeon picked up my scoliosis when I was 37. I had no symptoms at the time, but he could see it. I didn't pay much attention because it didn't hurt, but now at age 78 it's a huge limitation. Best of luck to you!

When I am good and do my exercises, (not lately!) I have to do them on my bed because being on the floor is very painful to me. When I do my zoom pilates class, I roll out 2 mats and 2 beach towels, not to mention a blow-up camping pillow (to tuck under my rear in order to protect my sore tail bone,) and a towel to go under my head. Yes, it looks silly, but it works for me, when I want to get all that 'equipment' out.

Chisue, I think you will find pt is a great help! I hit on a terrific one who understood my problem, which isn't of the ordinary variety of back problems. When I was good with the exercises I felt soooo much better. I'd better get back to it.

Ded, a dear friend also has bursitis in her hip and is faithful with her exercises--she has seen much improvement.

My physios also run hydrotherapy sessions at a local pool. Each person in the pool has his or her own tailored program, with two physios supervising ten people. Safe, easy on joints, and warm, warm, warm. It's done wonders for a whole range of arthritis related ailments for me. Just a thought.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement. I expect to be assigned more exercises, but for now I only have three. I'd been doing one of them for a long time because it relieves pain: Lie on my back and press my knees to my chest with my arms. Lower legs slowly. I do this on my (firm) bed.

Another: Sit on a chair with legs spread wide. Clasp hand, making a wide circle of the arms -- like first position in ballet -- and lower hands to the floor while keeping torso straight. Sit up and push elbows together behind the back while keeping shoulders down. Imagine squeezing a pencil between shoulder blades.

Another: Press left side against a wall. Step right and left foot out away from the wall a foot or more. Use right hand to press right hip back towards the wall while remaining erect.