Physiotherapy

Description

Notes

Comments

Physiotherapy was the primary treatment that won my remission from RSD. My physiotherapist is a good listener and guided me to pace my treatment carefully, but maintain a regular and consistent routine at home (between hospital visits). The course of treatment took nine months of weekly visits and four-times-daily exercises on my own. It was painful, but I learned to distinguish when the pain was 'different' (meaning it was a signal to give it a rest rather than a 'normal' part of the productive work). Formal treatment ended in December 1999 and I have been mostly pain free since then, and have full mobility (it is now October 2001). However, symptoms have not completely gone away and I find it necessary to continue practising the exercises to retain flexibility. Derrick Phillips - RSD Alert administrator
(to read about Derrick's treatment and progress click here)

Intensive, but RSD informed, physiotherapy helped me regain a very little mobility and therefore weight bearing essential to fight against osteoporosis, atrophy and dystrophy. In the end, achieving more movement helped lessen some of the pain. That said, I still get terrible pain loops if I go beyond my walking distance of 60yds maximum (on a good day). Also, physio managed to strengthen my foot sufficiently for walking unaided by stick or crutches. My therapist said that is very important, because a little genuine weight bearing and proper walking style is better for the condition than falsely inflated distance with a lot of support. I should walk and sit turn about (so I use a wheelchair, except in the house). When sitting, elevation of leg(s) helps circulatory problems. She also advised that standing was very bad. Though it is a form of weight bearing, it is bad for the circulatory problems that come with the condition.

That said, I have now reached my "ceiling" with mobility and no longer attend. And despite all the physiotherapy, my condition has steadily spread to affect my entire lower body and drugs have steadily increased. Physiotherapy can no longer help. For about two years after diagnosis, electrical short wave treatment at physio also helped to halt pain loops, but now the condition is too chronic and does not respond. My physio has told me that, apart from following my regime on exercise and walking/resting, my only treatment now will be further drugs from the Pain Clinic. Christine - Strathaven, Scotland