Hi 👋🏼 I'm Margaret, 46 yrs old, I live in Asheville NC with my wife. I've had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since age 9 and it carried on into adulthood.
I'm trying to get back in shape and I feel like my physical therapist doesn't understand me and is pushing me too hard and I'm feeling resentment due to the pain from what he's asking me to do. I feel like having RA is having a totally different kind of body and response system to exercise. Does anyone else feel this way? I've yet to have a good relationship with physical therapy because I end up in so much pain that it negates what it's supposed to be doing. Has anyone had success with a PT understanding how to rehabilitate you differently??
I worked in physical therapy for yrs and I understand where you are coming from. I never really agreed with the no pain no gain bs bc pain is the way our body communicates with us that something is wrong. I've come to a point in my life where if my Dr.'s, PT's or any medical professional doesn't listen to me I move on. I give them a chance, we all have our days. Idk if this will help you but what has worked wonders for me is yoga and I later added Pilates. My strength, balance, ROM, mental and physical health have all improved. I still have pain at times bc I have a tendency to overdo it (some days I feel invincible till my body humbles me...again). I was fortunate, my friend introduced me to a great studio with wonderful teachers (my Pilates teacher has RA) but there again I encourage you to find your fit, it's out there. Don't give up! We are tough survivors the mental and physical struggle is real. I love and live for the good days and try to learn from the bad but overall I feel truly blessed. Life is good!
I hope this helps.
HI Margaret
Welcome. We are glad you are here. This is Ro. My co-facilitator and partner in crime on this group is Erika who will also probably answer you.
PT cane be a blessing or a curse dependending. We get it. I find when I am at my worst, I can only tolerate PT in the heated medical pool. I have one about 30 minutes from my house. Is this an option for you? I also have participated in the arthritis foundation aquatics group exercises at the Y which also has a heated pool. I am sorry the PT is being too rigorous for your stage of pain. Can you switch physical therapists until you find one that aligns with your level of communication and need? And yes I only motor normally when I am not in a flare which is pretty close to almost, never. How would you feel if you took the exercises that the PT gave you and did them yourself at home at your own pace? One of my favorite tools at home when in flare is my TRX system (resistance bands that hang over a closed door in my hallway). I can do very very very VERY small movements with them. The other is medical chair yoga. I find a free program and do one off you tube. Glad you found us. We meet every other month and have a variety of discussions. I would love to bring someone on to do chair yoga with us and we can shut off our cameras for privacy. Be well and meet you soon. Ro and Erika
Hi all - Happy Pride! (that's all)