Private physio for bad back?

Thornyone
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Joined: 7 Dec 2017, 11:15am

Private physio for bad back?

Post by Thornyone »

I am just wondering if anyone here has tried seeing a physiotherapist privately for treatment for a “bad back”, and if so, whether they found it useful.
I have suffered back problems for years, possibly compounded by too much swimming of breast stroke, and too many “bicycle launched acrobatics” :lol:. Even in my early 30’s I would sometimes feel as if I were giving someone a piggy-back when I was walking along.

I saw a chiropracter (probably 20 years ago) and it helped for a while, but then I found the Mackenzie back exercises, which seemed more helpful. However, I seemed to get worse after some time, and my GP referred me to a “back expert physio”. Typically, my back felt better than for ages when I eventually got the appointment. I was made to feel a bit of a fraud, told to pop the ibuprofen, sent packing with a sheet of exercises, and effectively told that I was wearing out and had to put up with it :( Essentially, because my pain did not radiate below the knee, it wasn't important.

I should add that my hamstrings are ridiculously tight (the chiropracter seemed to give up on them) and that I was told by the chiropracter, who did an x-ray, that there was some wedging of my L-spine.

I can cycle OK, but swimming is a killer, and even putting on socks and underpants can be a challenge.
Bonefishblues
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Bonefishblues »

What I have found most valuable - with a good one (who, for me anyway seem to be the ones that specialise in sports injuries) is that they identify and get to the seat of the problem, which several times has proved to be an area that didn't seem to be a problem - most recently with an enduring pain in my elbow, that furtling around in my back eased and eventually cured in IIRC about 10 sessions. So the answer is yes, but do ask for recommendations.
Thornyone
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Thornyone »

Bonefishblues wrote:What I have found most valuable - with a good one (who, for me anyway seem to be the ones that specialise in sports injuries) is that they identify and get to the seat of the problem, which several times has proved to be an area that didn't seem to be a problem - most recently with an enduring pain in my elbow, that furtling around in my back eased and eventually cured in IIRC about 10 sessions. So the answer is yes, but do ask for recommendations.

Thanks for this. I’ll seek out a sports physio. The under-pressure NHS philosophy seems to be that as long as you can crawl about things are fine, but if I had to give up my exercise (vital for my mental well-being) I would see little point in life, so worth spending money.
yakdiver
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by yakdiver »

Having suffered with spinal damaged for all my life I would say get an MRI scan before you do anything and make sure everything is OK before physio.
Bonefishblues
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Bonefishblues »

yakdiver wrote:Having suffered with spinal damaged for all my life I would say get an MRI scan before you do anything and make sure everything is OK before physio.

A Physio should advise on this, I would have thought? Although I must confess that a long-term lower back issue I had seemed to clear up very shortly after an MRi Scan showed no issue :oops:
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Cunobelin
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Cunobelin »

yakdiver wrote:Having suffered with spinal damaged for all my life I would say get an MRI scan before you do anything and make sure everything is OK before physio.



+1

Physio is not always either appropriate, nor helpful. Chiropractors, the same

Especially if you are paying your own way

There can however be a "third way" A local centre near here does hydrotherapy sessions on a Thursday evening. A Physio led session for about 8 people and only costs about the same as a dip in your local pool. Also a cheap way as the Physio will fit the exercises and effort to you...
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squeaker
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by squeaker »

Bonefishblues wrote:What I have found most valuable - with a good one (who, for me anyway seem to be the ones that specialise in sports injuries) is that they identify and get to the seat of the problem, which several times has proved to be an area that didn't seem to be a problem - most recently with an enduring pain in my elbow, that furtling around in my back eased and eventually cured in IIRC about 10 sessions. So the answer is yes, but do ask for recommendations.
+1. McKenzie got me so far, but a recommended sports physio improved matters (though still not 'cured', just more resilient).
"42"
Cyril Haearn
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Why private, does one have to wait a long time otherwise, what does it cost?
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NATURAL ANKLING
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by NATURAL ANKLING »

Hi,
I gave up meds prescribed by GP for years and decided to concentrate on phyisio based exercises, never looked back, this was after going to pain management at a hospital and felt brainwashed when I left :?

I too have damage to my sacrum and disintegrating spine through old age / work whatever.

1) Riding my bike keeps most at bay.
2) Doing daily phyisio exercises keeps me pain free so I can concentrate riding.
3) Physiotherapy exercises are subtle but important.
4) You have to be disciplined And keep them up even when symptom free!
5) Swimming is always recommended for subtleness as it non load bearing.
6) Walking is best for bad back, better walking up hill, I use a inclined treadmill at home, after first use its apparent that your hams are getting worked.

A) I would recommend seeing GP for advise if you feel that the discomfort is affecting quality of life, physically and mentally.
B) Say you want to use a physiotherapist, if your GP thinks that it will help and is not against it for medical reasons.
C) Don't Baulk the advise of your NHS physiotherapist, if you just want to ride mostly pain free and not break any records then I am not sure you need a sports physio therapist, if you ask NHS physiotherapist for more strength and they say they cannot recommend any / will not refer you to a Hospital based phisio / treatment / scans etc, then suggest a sports physio and say why you need more?
D) Only your GP or physiotherapist will can recommend if not wasting time scans, a physio will refer if their diagnosis shows inconclusive. My GP said he cannot refer groin related problems only a Physiotherapist can, my physio diagnosis showed it was not necessary.
E) You need to be disciplined in your physio exercises, if not problems will return.

Like you just thinking of having to give up brings on a depressing dread.

My training normally consists of 8-10 hrs a week on a 50Ib mountain bike, bars low, a mixed ride on off road with some 300 feet / mile climbs mostly done out of the saddle in a highish gear, good days I extend to 45 miles and 9 miles at 200 feet / mile climbing for good measure, all done at a minimum of 80% average of max heart rate, add last ten miles or more on a 90 inch gear for fun.
My method of madness is that I want to stay stong, 1ST sportive this year 60 miler, gold medal time just :) ona 18 kg bike unsupported as I crashed the party :mrgreen: Declining a free banana :? Had my own,I was passed by chain gangs up hill but they faded on flat, they were 99% riding 8-10 kg bikes with lower gearing than my chosen 46 inch bottom, I am 59. My GP said about 20 years ago my back problem was chronic.

I fear of loosing muscle mass as I get older so I will not be able to perform, thus the training.
I too have been paralysed through the thought of giving up more than once through pain.
To stay pain free you need to maintain your status quo at your age, only specific exercises and training will do that with increasing age.
If your GP is against you doing physio for some fragile condition / medical other then its going to be hard work.
If not then you will need to bite the bullet and get back to doing some physio so to maintain your health.

I recently went to ED twice and 2nd time an almost 4 hr stay just for an X-ray :(
But go online for NHS physiotherapist appointment (see / talk to GP first) and you will be surprised how quick yow will get an appointment I did in less than a week.

I can't say anymore than that other to wish you good health, and good luck.
Do tell us how you are getting on.
NA Thinks Just End 2 End Return + Bivvy - Some day Soon I hope
You'll Still Find Me At The Top Of A Hill
Please forgive the poor Grammar I blame it on my mobile and phat thinkers.
Thornyone
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Thornyone »

Cyril Haearn wrote:Why private, does one have to wait a long time otherwise, what does it cost?

The reason I thought I would seek a private physio was because I felt I’d drawn a blank with the NHS physio I’d been referred to by my GP. It seemed that unless the problem were serious enough to warrant something like a spinal steroid injection or laminectomy, I didn’t warrant treatment. As I say, nothing was suggested beyond ibuprofen and some exercises, and accepting that I’m now a poor old sod :lol:. It was about a five minute consultation and I didn’t feel satisfied. Most people don’t and don’t feel the need to swim several kilometers and cycle 120-200 miles a week at 60+, so I felt I was being told to be more “normal” for my age!
Cyril Haearn
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Normal? :wink:
So you are helping the statistics by being ten times more active than the normals so the average miles cycled =?
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Thornyone
Posts: 388
Joined: 7 Dec 2017, 11:15am

Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Thornyone »

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
I gave up meds prescribed by GP for years and decided to concentrate on phyisio based exercises, never looked back, this was after going to pain management at a hospital and felt brainwashed when I left :?

I too have damage to my sacrum and disintegrating spine through old age / work whatever.

1) Riding my bike keeps most at bay.
2) Doing daily phyisio exercises keeps me pain free so I can concentrate riding.
3) Physiotherapy exercises are subtle but important.
4) You have to be disciplined And keep them up even when symptom free!
5) Swimming is always recommended for subtleness as it non load bearing.
6) Walking is best for bad back, better walking up hill, I use a inclined treadmill at home, after first use its apparent that your hams are getting worked.

A) I would recommend seeing GP for advise if you feel that the discomfort is affecting quality of life, physically and mentally.
B) Say you want to use a physiotherapist, if your GP thinks that it will help and is not against it for medical reasons.
C) Don't Baulk the advise of your NHS physiotherapist, if you just want to ride mostly pain free and not break any records then I am not sure you need a sports physio therapist, if you ask NHS physiotherapist for more strength and they say they cannot recommend any / will not refer you to a Hospital based phisio / treatment / scans etc, then suggest a sports physio and say why you need more?
D) Only your GP or physiotherapist will can recommend if not wasting time scans, a physio will refer if their diagnosis shows inconclusive. My GP said he cannot refer groin related problems only a Physiotherapist can, my physio diagnosis showed it was not necessary.
E) You need to be disciplined in your physio exercises, if not problems will return.

Like you just thinking of having to give up brings on a depressing dread.

My training normally consists of 8-10 hrs a week on a 50Ib mountain bike, bars low, a mixed ride on off road with some 300 feet / mile climbs mostly done out of the saddle in a highish gear, good days I extend to 45 miles and 9 miles at 200 feet / mile climbing for good measure, all done at a minimum of 80% average of max heart rate, add last ten miles or more on a 90 inch gear for fun.
My method of madness is that I want to stay stong, 1ST sportive this year 60 miler, gold medal time just :) ona 18 kg bike unsupported as I crashed the party :mrgreen: Declining a free banana :? Had my own,I was passed by chain gangs up hill but they faded on flat, they were 99% riding 8-10 kg bikes with lower gearing than my chosen 46 inch bottom, I am 59. My GP said about 20 years ago my back problem was chronic.

I fear of loosing muscle mass as I get older so I will not be able to perform, thus the training.
I too have been paralysed through the thought of giving up more than once through pain.
To stay pain free you need to maintain your status quo at your age, only specific exercises and training will do that with increasing age.
If your GP is against you doing physio for some fragile condition / medical other then its going to be hard work.
If not then you will need to bite the bullet and get back to doing some physio so to maintain your health.

I recently went to ED twice and 2nd time an almost 4 hr stay just for an X-ray :(
But go online for NHS physiotherapist appointment (see / talk to GP first) and you will be surprised how quick yow will get an appointment I did in less than a week.

I can't say anymore than that other to wish you good health, and good luck.
Do tell us how you are getting on.

(Sorry to post entire quote, but haven’t mastered part-quoting yet!).
Thanks for this advice. Just a quick point about swimming. It is usually quoted as good for the back, but when I told my chiropracter that I swim breast stroke, he said that wasn’t good. Now that I have more time on my hands I’m going to investigate lessons to learn crawl properly, which should be better for lower back issues. (Shame, because breast is better for cardiovascular and calorie burning).
I’ll follow up on your suggestions, and best wishes to you :D
Cyril Haearn
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Cyril Haearn »

Backstroke is good and quite relaxing
Entertainer, juvenile, curmudgeon, PoB, 30120
Cycling-of course, but it is far better on a Gillott
We love safety cameras, we hate bullies
Thornyone
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by Thornyone »

Cyril Haearn wrote:Backstroke is good and quite relaxing

Except not so good in a busy pool when the practicioner doesn’t look where (s)he is going (not suggesting that you don’t) :D
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bigjim
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Re: Private physio for bad back?

Post by bigjim »

I personally think stretching is the key to avoid pain and many other problems as we age. I suffered back problems for a long time but a few Pilates sessions solved it. I now regularly attend the gym and work my back quite a bit, much of it involving body weight sessions. Pull ups, wide and narrow, stretch and load the spine and support muscles. I now never have back issues unless I do something stupid. I have retaught myself to always squat to pick anything up, light or heavy. A habit we lose as we age.
I'm currently fighting some sort of knee problem. Well I think it is my knee. After waiting 6 months for an appointmant with a specialist, he insists it's the slight Arthritus I have in the knee that is the problem. I don't agree. My Hamstrings are as tight as hell in that leg. I can only relieve them by leg excercises in the gym. Stretching them using weights.
Swimming breast stroke hurts my leg so I too am trying to improve my crawl. However my back stroke is prettty good, but as has been pointed out, hard work in a crowded pool. I'm 69 and am capable of riding 100 miles without any leg/knee issues.
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