I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to help
some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit of
relief?

Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If you
know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious suggestions,
I'm open-minded.

Cheryl wrote:
> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
> don't know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my
> orthopedist thurs when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my
> vacation I just couldn't walk all of the distances everyone else did.
> My back was on fire. Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't
> help. Heat seems to help some. Massage helps some. The stretching to
> decompress my spine disks helps but not enough to allow me to walk
> distances. If anyone has gone through PT for arthritis, how long does
> it take to even feel a little bit of relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
> you know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
> suggestions, I'm open-minded.

Do you mean physiotherapy? It's good stuff. I have been for physio for
tendonitis and and for torn lumbar muscles. It helped with the tennis
elbow, but got to the point where there wasn't much more they could do
but time. They did wonders on my back. My wife went to physio for
arthritis in her back. She was given an exercise regime that she does
first thing ever morning, plus she walks a lot... a one mile walk with
the dog right after her morning exercise.

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
. ..

>
> Do you mean physiotherapy?

Beats me. The dr called it physical therapy.

It's good stuff. I have been for physio for
> tendonitis and and for torn lumbar muscles. It helped with the tennis
> elbow, but got to the point where there wasn't much more they could do but
> time. They did wonders on my back. My wife went to physio for arthritis
> in her back. She was given an exercise regime that she does first thing
> ever morning, plus she walks a lot... a one mile walk with the dog right
> after her morning exercise.

I have a routine for morning and evening. I can't say I do it each and
every day, but I try to keep it up. I do it more than I don't. I hope I
can get to where I can walk a lot. That's my biggest problem with the pain.
Walking. The disks grind together and must be involving a nerve or two.

On 7/13/2010 9:30 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
> don't know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist
> thurs when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
> couldn't walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on
> fire. Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems
> to help some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine
> disks helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has
> gone through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a
> little bit of relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
> you know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
> suggestions, I'm open-minded.
>
>


I was up in north central MN a couple of weeks ago helping out with
tornado cleanup and my back flared up from where I hurt it really bad 4
years ago. (Luckily I had a few Vicodans leftover so was able to keep
working.) One of the guys on the work crew does yoga and swears by it.
Says it cured his tendonitis in just a few weeks. I dismissed it
mostly, but when I got back I started doing some research on it. Turns
out the exercises they gave me in PT for my back and sciatica are just
classic yoga poses (how much did I pay them for that?) like "The Cobra."

Bob

On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:30:48 -0400, "Cheryl" >
wrote:

> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to help
> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit of
> relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If you
> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious suggestions,
> I'm open-minded.
>
You need to change doctors. My son in law had chronic back problems
and his previous doctor managed his pain with drugs. The new doctor
discovered two underlying issues that needed to be dealt with before
they could address his disk problem. 6 months later, he's playing in
an adult soccer league and is pain free - no back surgery required.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
>>
> You need to change doctors. My son in law had chronic back problems
> and his previous doctor managed his pain with drugs. The new doctor
> discovered two underlying issues that needed to be dealt with before
> they could address his disk problem. 6 months later, he's playing in
> an adult soccer league and is pain free - no back surgery required.
>

I'm glad he was given some peace! Actually, there is no talk about surgery
for my back. Just the PT. I don't want surgery. My surgery tomorrow is
for bone spurs in my foot.

That said, younger people heal quicker from injuries, and my problem is
directly related to age and deterioration of the disks.

In article >,
"Cheryl" > wrote:

> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to help
> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit of
> relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If you
> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious suggestions,
> I'm open-minded.
>

Where do you live?

I went thru PT recently too, but the ART therapy I got and using the
trigger point stuff I was taught (etc.) did far more...

I'm also 47 and having similar pain issues. If I do what they teach me,
it works. And fast.

If you wish to take this to private e-mail, this one works.

I'd hate to see how much I'd hurt if I was not getting the body work and
help I need...

Advance rehabilitation in Austin uses combo therapy. Chiropractic care,
ART soft tissue therapy, Physical therapy, personal care training,
traction therapy and electrostim and ultrasound as needed.

It's awesome.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:30:48 -0400, Cheryl wrote:

> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to help
> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit of
> relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If you
> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious suggestions,
> I'm open-minded.

just on a hunch, i googled [marijuana arthritis pain] and got back 192,000
hits. it seems a lot of people swear by it.

just a thought.

your pal,
blake

On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 12:04:33 -0400, blake murphy
> wrote:

> just on a hunch, i googled [marijuana arthritis pain] and got back 192,000
> hits. it seems a lot of people swear by it.

I got 221,000 using exactly the same search term. I wouldn't say they
swear by it, but it's certainly a topic of interest.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

"blake murphy" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:30:48 -0400, Cheryl wrote:
>
>> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
>> don't
>> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
>> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
>> couldn't
>> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
>> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to
>> help
>> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
>> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
>> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit
>> of
>> relief?
>>
>> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
>> you
>> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
>> suggestions,
>> I'm open-minded.
>
> just on a hunch, i googled [marijuana arthritis pain] and got back 192,000
> hits. it seems a lot of people swear by it.
>
> just a thought.

LOL! OMG, I'd be a mess if I was allowed to smoke that crap. Don't get me
wrong, I love it. I just can't smoke it with my job.

On Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:31:45 -0400, Cheryl wrote:

> "blake murphy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:30:48 -0400, Cheryl wrote:
>>
>>> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
>>> don't
>>> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
>>> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
>>> couldn't
>>> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
>>> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to
>>> help
>>> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
>>> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
>>> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit
>>> of
>>> relief?
>>>
>>> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
>>> you
>>> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
>>> suggestions,
>>> I'm open-minded.
>>
>> just on a hunch, i googled [marijuana arthritis pain] and got back 192,000
>> hits. it seems a lot of people swear by it.
>>
>> just a thought.
>
> LOL! OMG, I'd be a mess if I was allowed to smoke that crap. Don't get me
> wrong, I love it. I just can't smoke it with my job.
>

i was thinking more about the off-duty hours, and possibly as a sleep aid.
or does your job require periodic drug testing?

your pal,
blake

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
...
>I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
>know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
>when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
>walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
>Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to
>help some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine
>disks helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has
>gone through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little
>bit of relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
> you know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
> suggestions, I'm open-minded.
>
>I have been going to Physical Therapy - and on a followup maintance
>program - for over 4 years. I now go regularly 3 times a week. Not just
>for arthritis but for multiple physical problems - disability due to
>lymphedema - old injuries from falling off of (and with) too many horses
>when I was younger. When I started, I was very close to needing a
>wheelchair. I now can walk a bit - enough to get around without help -
>long time problems taking a long time to get better - and they are getting
>better - gradually. I am 71. I am just glad to be able to stay on my
>feet - with out a walker or cane. Walking as much as other people - not
>even in my wildest dreams.

The solution to staying stable and hopefully - over time - for gradual
improvement - is consistently staying with a program. At least it is for
me. As we age - there are things that happen - that won't get better.

YMMV

Jan

Learn something new every day
As long as you are learning, you are living
When you stop learning, you start dying

Cheryl wrote:
>
> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't
> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just couldn't
> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems to help
> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little bit of
> relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If you
> know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious suggestions,
> I'm open-minded.


TENS takes *time* to work. Do you have a unit to use at home? It needs
to be repeated several times a day initially.

Wait until the bone spurs have been removed. Your gait was probably out
of whack, which wouldn't help your back any.

TMU is scheduled for more physio for her hip replacement (done several
years ago). It helped before, but she doesn't follow up at home enough

"Cheryl" > wrote in message
...
> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
> don't know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist
> thurs when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
> couldn't walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on
> fire. Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems
> to help some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine
> disks helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has
> gone through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little
> bit of relief?
>
> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here. If
> you know of a newsgroup that helps to discuss this and has serious
> suggestions, I'm open-minded.
>
>
Cheryl,
I really feel your pain. I'm going through this myself and start PT this
evening. One thing that has seemed to help has been a stretching machine
I've been ignoring at our gym for the last few years. It's a Precor Stretch
Trainer. I used it the last 3 days and my back feels much better for much
longer than it has in the 2 months I've had the problem. Maybe your gym or
physical Therapist has one.

http://www.precor.com/cons/en/stt/?extid=4402

I usually work out in the morning and do the stretching my MD prescribed
(generic lower back stuff), some weights and ~ 30-40 minutes on the
elliptical. It feels pretty good for the rest of the day but by evening I'm
hurting again. When I used the stretch trainer for the last few days I was
good right up until around bed time, when it got sore again. I'm ten years
older than you, so you might even respond better to this type of stretching.

I'm hoping I can get this under control by the end of September when we head
to Paris for a week. :-)
Good Luck,
Jon

"Zeppo" > wrote in message
...
>
>>
> Cheryl,
> I really feel your pain. I'm going through this myself and start PT this
> evening. One thing that has seemed to help has been a stretching machine
> I've been ignoring at our gym for the last few years. It's a Precor
> Stretch Trainer. I used it the last 3 days and my back feels much better
> for much longer than it has in the 2 months I've had the problem. Maybe
> your gym or physical Therapist has one.
>
The PT said something about traction, but I only had one more session left
covered by my insurance. I think that sounds like a good thing to try.

>
> I'm hoping I can get this under control by the end of September when we
> head to Paris for a week. :-)

I hope you can too, because it really stinks to be somewhere fun, then be
limited in what you can do because it hurts.

In article >,
"Cheryl" > wrote:

> The PT said something about traction, but I only had one more session left
> covered by my insurance. I think that sounds like a good thing to try.

They will often discount for cash (non-insurance) payments.
Mine does, by about 1/2.

Traction therapy is likely the only reason I can still use my arms.
That and the cervical steroid injections...

>
> >
> > I'm hoping I can get this under control by the end of September when we
> > head to Paris for a week. :-)
>
> I hope you can too, because it really stinks to be somewhere fun, then be
> limited in what you can do because it hurts.

Indeed.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"Cheryl" wrote

>I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I don't

Sorry to hear that Cheryl. Some of these things take time.

> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
> couldn't walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on
> fire. Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems
> to help some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine
> disks helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has
> gone through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little
> bit of relief?

I do not have arthritis but have another condition. I can telll from the
replies that some have a like need to me which does not fit you although
some _aspects_ may.

alt.support.chronic-pain may be of use. It is not arthritis specific and
dont be shocked that some have fairly significant higher levels than you
probably have now (or ever will have).

One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives. These
take up to 3 months of taking them daily to feel an effect from on average
but the pill form doesnt work for all. I get no benefit from them but
husband gets major benefit from them. If you seem to get none, hit me up
(email not masked) on what I do. You can then use what suits you of my list
some of which is not even remotely 'American standard' but much is.

TENS units are generally used with other types of spinal pain. Nerve
damage.

Cheryl, there may be a solution for you not yet followed. We are not Doctors
here as you know. One thing you have to eventually accept is the body ages.
You adapt and overcome. It's not easy at the start. You want a fast 'make
it go away, this isn't how I always was or want to be' response.

There are no magic answers to aging body parts. Some of us get hit by that
fact earlier than others. Good luck and if it helps, I was younger but not
by much and older now by not that much.

In article >,
"cshenk" > wrote:

> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.

Eat chicken or pigs feet. (ob food).
But, I am not kidding...

I have recipes that work.
At least for me.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"Omelet" wrote,
> "cshenk" wrote:


>> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.

> Eat chicken or pigs feet. (ob food).
> But, I am not kidding...

> I have recipes that work.
> At least for me.

Same here. The pills/additives don't seem to work for me. Try shrimp shells
and tails. Yeah, eat'em.

In article >,
"cshenk" > wrote:

> "Omelet" wrote,
> > "cshenk" wrote:
>
>
> >> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.
>
> > Eat chicken or pigs feet. (ob food).
> > But, I am not kidding...
>
> > I have recipes that work.
> > At least for me.
>
> Same here. The pills/additives don't seem to work for me. Try shrimp shells
> and tails. Yeah, eat'em.

Ugh. Too tough for my teeth! I do cook them for stock, but I don't eat
the actual shells. You can digest chitin???

The stuff I suggested is collagen.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
*Only Irish *coffee provides in a single glass all four *essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar *and fat. --Alex Levine

"Omelet" wrote,
> "cshenk" wrote:

>> >> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.

>> Same here. The pills/additives don't seem to work for me. Try shrimp
>> shells
>> and tails. Yeah, eat'em.
>
> Ugh. Too tough for my teeth! I do cook them for stock, but I don't eat
> the actual shells. You can digest chitin???

Grin, I just know they work.

"cshenk" > wrote in message
...

> alt.support.chronic-pain may be of use. It is not arthritis specific and
> dont be shocked that some have fairly significant higher levels than you
> probably have now (or ever will have).

I know there is worse pain, but it wasn't fair to minimize mine, you know.

>
> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.

Yes, I take them.


> Cheryl, there may be a solution for you not yet followed. We are not
> Doctors here as you know. One thing you have to eventually accept is the
> body ages.

Yes, thanks.

ObFood: Nothing much. I guess I should eat something.

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:38 -0400, "Cheryl" >
wrote:

>"cshenk" > wrote in message
m...
>
>> alt.support.chronic-pain may be of use. It is not arthritis specific and
>> dont be shocked that some have fairly significant higher levels than you
>> probably have now (or ever will have).
>
>I know there is worse pain, but it wasn't fair to minimize mine, you know.
>
>>
>> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.
>
>Yes, I take them.
>
>
>> Cheryl, there may be a solution for you not yet followed. We are not
>> Doctors here as you know. One thing you have to eventually accept is the
>> body ages.
>
>Yes, thanks.

Uh oh... another nutbob alert.

"brooklyn1" > wrote in message
...

>
> Uh oh... another nutbob alert.

I get it now. Ok, I'm shutting up. Forever. lol

On 2010-07-17, brooklyn1 > wrote:
>
> Uh oh... another nutbob alert.

Yikes! ....Shelshock is deploying Weapons of Mess Destruction
......multiple bore heads. Jinkies!!

Let's rock, Shock!


nb

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:41:17 GMT, notbob > wrote:

>On 2010-07-17, brooklyn1 > wrote:
>>
>> Uh oh... another nutbob alert.
>
>Yikes! ....Shelshock is deploying Weapons of Mess Destruction
>.....multiple bore heads. Jinkies!!
>
>Let's rock, Shock!
>
>
>nb

That's gotta be a new disparaging term for an ethnicity for me... what
nationality are "Jinkies"? I'm guessing the offspring from a
Jap-Chink but I could be wrong... spill it!

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:03:53 -0400, brooklyn1 wrote:

> On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:38 -0400, "Cheryl" >
> wrote:
>
>>"cshenk" > wrote in message
om...
>>
>>> alt.support.chronic-pain may be of use. It is not arthritis specific and
>>> dont be shocked that some have fairly significant higher levels than you
>>> probably have now (or ever will have).
>>
>>I know there is worse pain, but it wasn't fair to minimize mine, you know.
>>
>>>
>>> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.
>>
>>Yes, I take them.
>>
>>
>>> Cheryl, there may be a solution for you not yet followed. We are not
>>> Doctors here as you know. One thing you have to eventually accept is the
>>> body ages.
>>
>>Yes, thanks.
>
> Uh oh... another nutbob alert.

i thought nutbobbing was what you do down at the bus station.

blake

"Cheryl" wrote
> "cshenk" wrote

>> alt.support.chronic-pain may be of use. It is not arthritis specific and
>> dont be shocked that some have fairly significant higher levels than you
>> probably have now (or ever will have).

> I know there is worse pain, but it wasn't fair to minimize mine, you know.

I did not minimize yours, just warned you of that group.

>> One thing you probably need is the glucosamine/chondritin additives.

> Yes, I take them.

>> Cheryl, there may be a solution for you not yet followed. We are not
>> Doctors here as you know. One thing you have to eventually accept is the
>> body ages.
>
> Yes, thanks.

Be well then.

"Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
...
> The message >
> from "Cheryl" > contains these words:
>
>> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
>> don't
>> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
>> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
>> couldn't
>> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
>> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems
>> to help
>> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
>> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
>> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little
>> bit of
>> relief?
>
>> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here.
>
> What else have you tried, Cheryl? Do you take adequate pain relief
> meds?
>
I usually use ibuprofen but I have surgery for something else tomorrow, so I
have had to be off of them for the past week. Probably why I'm grumpy and
whiney.

> After a flaming onset in 1988 I've managed RA successfully with
> diet, stress--reduction and lifestyle changes which have become second
> nature now. I chose that route in preference to my then doctor's advice
> (steroids and splints) and 99 % of the time I have an active painfree
> lifestyle needing no medication. I have some cervical disc wear and
> tear/compression now (with bony growth spurs). When I do need pain
> relief, , usually because I did too much digging etc, I take
> anti-inflammatories straight away at timed intervals. I find using pain
> medication the way my doctor advises, works far better than gritting my
> teeth and bravely holding off.Domestically I have things set up the
> easy way, a really good bed, lever taps and doorhandles, switches and
> sockets within reach, no wall cupboards in the kitchen, grab bar in the
> shower, careful choice of kitchen and garden tools. Its a matter of
> trial and error to see what works best for you.
>
> My current Dr offers acupuncture (free on the NHS) and I find that
> by far the most effective treatment for occasional bouts of seized up
> joints.

Yes, thank you. My PC specializes in acupuncture and I had her try it on me
to quit smoking. No change. And I'm not talking about just a single or two
treatments. So because of that I've sort of decided that would be a waste
of money. Insurance wouldn't cover it. I'll keep on doing the exercises
and see what happens. The sucky thing is that walking which should help is
what causes agony.