Anyone done Physiotherapy for back/neck?

What a wonderful day, I got into a car accident (was in rear passanger side). We were in stop and go traffic and were rear ended hard. Mostly fine just back and neck muscles are super sore.

Went to the doc and they said everything seemed fine but recommended Physio. Now I already see a chiro on a regular basis from all the horsey related back trauma and chronic back pain. What does physio for back and neck pain entail?

I get physio regularly for my stiff neck and other issues. For my neck and t4 syndrome I have had therapies such as heat, tens, acupuncture, and electro acupuncture. Tens no longer works for me, but i love electro acupuncture. They also test range of motion to track progress or regression, and give me exercises to help strengthen or stretch out the area. For my T4 syndrome the have given me exercises using a foam tube so I can resolve myself. I am a big fan of physio.

For neck and upper back treatments I wear a low and stretchy tank top to make the area easy to access.

I’ve done PT for spine stuff and found it helpful. What it is depends a bit on who you see. Some of it is strengthening exercises, some massage stuff, some pushing & shoving (I believe mobilization is the proper term:)), And like CHT said, TENS, ultrasound, heat, laser, etc. Turtlenecks are not recommended.

Is physiotherapy different than physical therapy?

So sorry, Jive. Sending well wishes your way.

That was my question as well.

According to wikipedia, physio and physical therapy are the same approach, separated by our common language. The first name is commonly used in British English, and the latter in the U.S.

It is quite different from Chiro. It will give you a whole new tool kit to improve your movement, and lower your pain. One of the things that happens in a trauma is the nerves can stop working. The P.T. will show you how to start them up again. I found it very helpful to improve my riding and tuning to my horse.

Thanks all. I have an appointment with a physio clinic tomorrow. Now playing telephone tag with the insurance company. :ambivalence: They have left me two phone messages. On friday gave me a toll free number and extension. Called but they were closed and the extension didn’t exist. Left another message today, different phone number and extension… the phone number was for a fastfood restaurant. Seriously???

One of my big things is that I’m so used to ignoring pain that I don’t even realize how sore I am.

Decided to be a stupid horseperson and rode on the weekend. Have now come to the conclusion that it was a bad idea and trainer is now riding the beastie this week.

If you can find someone who does myofascial release, I highly recommend it! I have arthritis in my neck exacerbated by a few falls, it’s the best thing ever. That and Icy Hot.

Feel better!

Another great invention are those things that you heat in the micro wave and drape on your neck. I got mine from "grampas gardens"http://www.grampasgarden.com/

I have had PT on my back and neck many times. Get a good therapist. A good one is someone who does a lot of hands on work on you. A bad one is one who says go do 10 of these then do ten of those.

:lol: So true Laurierace

Big difference in physiotherapy skills. My physiotherapist is board certified for active manipulations. She is a rock star. Fixes things that are too tricky for a massage therapist to fix.

The other ones I’m meh about… they might be useful for simple things but when you keep going back and going back with no improvement, in my eyes it is time for a fresh pair of eyes.

There are several levels of certification in P.T. and some specialties within it. For example, the board certified one that works on me has the training to teach it at the specialty level in University teaching hospital. She has board certification in neurology as well. Since she can explain, I can understand why I’m hurting and what I can do to release pain, and improve. I find that it translates into my understanding why my horse is moving/acting the way he is. (It does help that my P.T. is a rider, who understands our horse language. So, when I describe what my horse did, she can take that information and understand what happened to my body as a result.)

In some practices, to have more income, there may be assistants who are delegated to follow the prescribed regime, watch the exercises and move you from one equipment station to another. Be sure to ask each assistant what their training is. Sometimes, it just a high schooler, putting in the time for the pay check. :eek:

As Laurierace has said, a good P.T. stays with you and watches like a hawk to make sure your form is correct through the whole movement. The neuro-path ways have to be re-trained and activated for the correct muscle memory to work.

yes, do the physio/PT. i got thrown several years ago and ended up with a bruised spinal process and sprained back; the PT was no fun but it did help resolve the issues.

try and find a spinal specialist.