Migraine

I just had my first physical therapy appointment for migraine. (I've had PT in the past when I was in auto accidents). She used TENS and ultrasound with moist heat, gave my neck a gentle massage, and gave me some postural exercises to do.

I had not been aware of how bad my posture has gotten and how much tension I have in my neck. She actually said my posture is "not too bad" but pointed out things I need to improve. I used to have really great posture though, so "not too bad" doesn't sound very good to me! I have been focusing on good posture since I left the PT office and now I have pain in my neck and shoulder blade. I guess I may be over-compensating!

I am supposed to go 3 times a week, at least until I see my Migraine dr. again in September. That's a bit of a challenge with my schedule. It's also a challenge to my pocket - my "specialist" co-pay is $50 and PT is considered a specialist. I hate my insurance co. My premiums are very high, my co-pays are very high, and when I go out of network (which I'm allowed to do) they lose half the claims and I have to fight with them every month to get my claims paid. Sometimes I wonder if it's even worth having the insurance! But this is probably a rant for another folder.

I think the PT will help and I really like the massage - but I'm worried about adding a $150 per week expense! Well, we'll see how it goes. I won't judge results until I've gone for a few weeks, anyway.

- Megan

Megs I think it's great this could help you. And you might be surprised that due to other commitments (like college vistis) you may not really have the ability to go more than twice a week on average.

I love massage for my neck and shoulders. I am always shocked at the tension in them, with or without migraines and how much better I feel getting it out of there.

I hope you do feel better after this. Maybe you can trade services with the PT owner. You never know what they may need that you have to offer!!!

Cindy

Cindy you're right - I scheduled for the next few weeks and it's 2 this week, 1 next, 2 the week after that. The other crazy thing I discovered is, in network I have a $50 per session co-pay. Out of network I pay 30% of $92, or $27.60 per session! Why did I bother to go to all the trouble of getting the referral? I don't know if I can switch & do it out of network, but I'm going to find out!

- Megan

I'm right there with you, Megs- Going back to my old PT to work on the good old neck- if I can keep that in check, I'm much happier.

I have my TENS unit (I need to buy new wire-leads) and I'm planning to use that more. I have to put more time between nerve blocks due to the steroid component, so anything i can do to buy that time is a good thing. I might also try some aquatherapy... but that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

Don't you just love it when things work out strangely with insurance? I'm glad that you decided to check the out of network cost!

Megs

Great to hear you had a good appointment! I need a massage too!!!! I think it may help with all the TTH's I get since my shoulders and neck are so tight.

As far as the copay thing goes, are you sure it's not your copay plus the 30% co ins for out of net? Or make sure you don't have an out of network deductible to meet!

It sounds too good to be true that it would be cheaper for out of network services.....keep me posted!!!

Oh, yeah, I do have a big out of network deductible - the thing is, I'm close to meeting it. Since the primary drs we mostly use for us & the kids are out of network, plus the chiropractor, that deductible does mount up. Gotta love it - high premiums, high deductible, high co-pays, and they lose half the claims I submit to them... it beats being uninsured? I know, if something catastrophic happened, I'd be glad I have it. All I can say is, the insurance co. makes plenty of money off of me!

I think you always need a referral to PT. The difference is the choice you make on where you have the servcie, in or out of network. I don't know if any insurance company that will pay for PT without a doctor's referral.

If you like the out of network provider for PT, there is really no reason you can't switch.

Cindy

It's frustrating because one usually pays in much more than one uses. I think about the thousands of dollars I've paid in premiums compared to what I've used. I think we need to get a "not for profit" system of health insurance. . . kinda like police or the post office.

I start PT tomorrow for my fibro. I've never done PT before so I'm wondering how that will affect my migraines. I hope it doesn't aggravate things.

Megs, at least you get a massage out of it.

I hope your PT went well today Hoops!

I've never done PT (not sure why), but I've been doing massage therapy for years. I've seen my current therapist for 3 or 4 years. He was recommended by my Botox doc. I try to go once a week, but often I can't make it. And I've forgotten twice this week.

He isn't covered by insurance. It's $75, plus a tip. He really makes a difference in my neck and shoulders.

Gretchen

I just got back from my first PT appointment. The therapist turns out to be the daughter of my daughter's high school counselor. Small world. (sorry, I digress)

She checked my range of motion with everything. She did some ultrasound, massage, and TENS stimulation with heat packs. I felt pretty wiped out which is weird since all I did was lay there!
Next time, I will be starting with some stretching exercises in the pool. Then we'll do the ultrasound/massage/TENS.

The sad news is I have a $1000 deductible so basically I have to pay out of pocket this entire month. It's $80 everytime I go and my fibro doctor would like me to go 3 times a week. Ouch! It will definitely hurt my budget but I'm desperate to try anything that will help with the pain so I'll find a way. If he wants me to go more than a month, I'll only have a $25 copay which won't be as bad.

Take care everyone.
Namaste'

Hoops I've been wiped out after PT and massage before - they say the massage releases toxins from your muscles that have to be flushed out of your system. I've always been told to drink lots of water the day after a massage. (Since I already drink tons, it's a challenge to drink more!)

I had my second appointment today. She said my neck was much less tight. I wasn't aware of that - it seemed to me to hurt a lot before I went. but I'm guessing maybe my neck always hurts like that and I'm just used to it - and the PT is making me more aware of it. Anyway, it's a good theory...

I'm feeling good about this. I'm with you, Hoops, the cost is kind of scary. But we'll find a way.

- Megs

Funny you should mention this!

In doing crystal reading and experimenting, the whole world of energy medicine has captured me. Crystal therapy and energy medicine seem to be made for each other. They both approach health from a different angle than I'm used to.

Donna Eden was a massage therapist with a practice for 23 years before branching off into energy medicine. Her system has some massage techniques and some energy medicine techniques.

I've been doing her energy exercises for a couple of weeks now and feel like a different person. I spent more time vertical today than horizontal and got TONS of work done which made me feel even better.

The last migraine attack that I medicated was during the July 4th weekend. I've been medicating at least one attack a week for years, years.

I admit that I have a strong belief in energy medicine. I also have trouble with energy, no big secret, so mentally I'm primed for this to be right up my alley. I never thought there were any self-administered energy medicine systems until I found this one. I'm also aware of belief system discord between some energy medicine systems and some belief systems. I have found no conflicts with Donna Eden's system.

Oh ok, I'll quit hijacking the thread!

If massage wipes you out, maybe energy exercises would help? They've been WONDERFUL for me.

Hey MW - It's great to see you posting again. It had been while! I was a little worried about you. I'm glad energy medicine has worked so well for you. I'll go over to your blog and read more about it.

- Megs

quote:

Originally posted by nutmegan:
Hey MW - It's great to see you posting again. It had been while! I was a little worried about you. I'm glad energy medicine has worked so well for you. I'll go over to your blog and read more about it.

- Megs

Thanks hun!

I take July off every year, including from the intarwebs as much as possible.

Not everyone has energy problems. My girls--Elder Assistant Offspring is getting a lot from the energy exercises. Younger Assistant doesn't get a thing. I believe her aikido has a lot to do with how well her energy works for her.

I'm firing mine--it hasn't done a thing!