Post Op Physical Therapy

Ladies, I have recently learned something that just blew my mind. My one year anniversary (abdominal hyst) is June 18th, just to set the stage. I have always had a small problem with my lower back (siatic nerve, lower strain, etc) nothing major, goes away in a day or two.. normal stuff. But it got worse and more often, and happend easier after my hysterectomy. I never put this together until I finally went to the orthopeditic doctor and he prescribed physical therapy. WELL.... according the the physcial therapist us women here in America get gypped by our doctors and insurance companies. According to him, my biggest problem was the hysterectomy! And that in Europe, women get a standard dose of therapy for their back/abs after a C-section or hysterectomy! The therapists there are flabbergasted that we don't receive it here. Over there its common procedure because we have basically put our pelvic core to sleep. And after these abdominal upsets our nerves are not firing in the right order, our pelvic core that supports our back is not doing its job. Its needs to be woken up and strengthened. I have been doing some very simple excersises each day, once a week I get some heat and electrical stimulation therapy and I can't tell you the difference in my back and abdomin! I am amazed. I have been doing yard work, walking the dog, all sorts of things that had previously been bothering my back and guess what??? My back feels better than it has in a very long time! I am doing different sit ups (bathing suit season is here!) and they are actually making a difference (before they just hurt my back!). Sorry for the length but this just made my mouth drop but it makes so much sense and I can feel the difference 100 fold!! So ladies, please check with your doctors about some excercises or physical therapy if your back seems weaker and more strained than before your surgery!!

WOW ! That makes sense!

But I am just the opposite of you.The last 2 years my back was getting worse and worse. I couldn't straighten up all the way some times, and had sort of a 'crick' in it.

I saw a Chiro, but the adjustments would only last a day or so. I am a golfer and just played in pain.

After my hyst...Wham, no pain at all. For the first time in 2 years my back feels great and I can move again. The Dr said it was the 1 pound tumor pulling all my muscles foreword and not allowing them to move.

We are all soooooo different in what we have, and how we recover! I am so happy for you that you are doing great, and I might look into some exercises, lord knows I could use a few, and if they keep my back it order...all the better.

Kate- aka: Waldo

patmac

I am 6 weeks post op TAH/BSO and just yesterday was wondering why I hadn't read any information about physical therapy after a hystercetomy. As many of us have complained on this site about the medical profession, if you don't ask.. you aren't told. I haven't done any web-site searches yet but have you found any sites that deal with this issue and that have recommended exercises that can be done at home?

I am currently going to a Physical Therapist. She specializes in Women's health, which makes the discussions easier and less embarrasing. She does some manipulation with my lower back and shows me stuff to do at home. I haven't seen any thing posted on the web, but she sends sheets with pictures home with me each time. I guess because we all have different issues, its got to be tailored to an individual. But it seems that some of the exercises would help everyone. I have truly benefited from this. I learned about it from a friend who is a pt. The doctor did not suggest this, or suggest any recovery plan. Just sent me home with a list of what not to do. Be proactive sisters! Great advice for not only back sufferers but other pelvic issue sufferers! Take Care, C.Anne

Sunshine, I didnt see any sites that had specific exercises for my back trouble, but like C. Anne, my pt sends me home with the pictures and the routine to do at home. They are simply different versions of a pushup and a crunch that strenthens the abs without stressing the lower back (no pelvic tilt). I also do a particular squat specifcally for the pelvic core. Its not quad dependant like the squats that they do at the gym (you dont sit back like in a chair, its more like when a child squats to look at somehting on the ground!! and you keep your arms overhead) They are a great body stretcher too! My insurance lets me go for 20.00 bucks a whack to the PT. Check into it. Ask your primary for a referrel. I will go for a few more weeks for the heat and electric impulse "thingy" ( I love that) and then just continue the regiman at home. At six weeks, you may not be ready for crunches but it cant hurt to get informed and avoid back trouble.
Good Luck!

I am 2 weeks post op and saw the doc today. Since my surgery my left butt cheek has stung and there was a numb area above it and into my lower back, well this weekend the numbness wore off and back on Percocet I went. The doc told me it is siatic nerve pain and go to bed with heating pad. I voted physical therapy as well and thank god she agreed. I found a place with cancelation for tomorrow and will have to let all of you know what they say. I know some exercises for it since I had it during pregnancy but being 2 weeks post op I do not know what I should or not do. So, I will let you know, off to bed with heating pad I go.

Billie

TAH, BSO and gall bladder removal 4-12-05