I have ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia. I was sent to a PT for right shoulder and right buttocks pain. I do not think my Rheumy's office sent much info over or even that I had fibro, and the private clinic took no history or medication list. Usually before when I go to PT, I fill out a lengthy form.
Things started out ok, alot of hard pressure to all areas of back and shoulder area. And I mean hard. I am sure it was trigger point release. After a few times I mentioned I had fibromyalgia, and asked if my doc had sent over any info on me? Her reply was "a little" What is that supposed to mean.
After the rough massage, she would do some ultrasound and then out to the mats to to more exercises and sometimes I would ride the bicycle for 5 minutes.
I would go home and go to bed. This continued from March till May when I could take it no more. I would almost scream on the table where she was pressing so hard. She was irritating musscles I had not used in ages and I began developing SOB and pains and fatigue. I was literally in a flare most of the summer. I kept doing it thinking i would get better. she got in my face one day on the mat and chastized me for not doing the daily exercises, if I wanted to get my strength up. I think I scared her when I reported I was having SOB and she let me go one day after my massage.
I was laid up till middle of August. When I told the NP at my rheumatologists office about the massage, her only comment was "some do not respond".
and she was the one who highly recommended this gal. I also mentioned to my internist if a small clot could have broken loose when she did that excruciating massage to my upper back muscles and he really had no comment. It is like do not
shovel snow if you are not conditioned and it was still exercise just painful passive.
I never returned and think I will go and talk to the owner of the clinic who is also a PT, My internist did write out on a PX pad that I had fibromyalgia and wrote down his recommendations for therapy for next time. I am scare to go anywhere else. Where do you find a PT that is knowledgeble in fibro, or I would be happy to just go and have a gentle massage somewhere. What action would you all take?? Thanks for reading this. 68RN
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