Hi all.
I've started this new blog thing to talk about the new treatment I've embarked on for my chronic back pain. It's based on all-new research (the last 6-7 years) and it's biologically and neurologically fascinating. I've read a LOT about chronic pain, and I've only seen tiny bits of this stuff before. Don't worry, I'm not doing some weird out-there thing. This is a N(ational)H(ealth)S(ervice)-funded treatment (in the UK) being overseen by a specialist. It's got me seriously excited.
So. I was referred to this guy a number of months ago. I wondered why it was taking so long to get in to see another physiotherapist, but I didn't really think about it much. Our first meeting was a few weeks ago. I walked in wearing the standard physio uniform of comfy, loose clothing, with decidedly unsexy bra and knickers underneath. (The last thing you want to do is give your physio the idea that you're trying to seduce him/her. OK, no; that's the second-to-last thing you want to do. The actual last thing you want to do is to actually try to seduce him/her.) We'll call our senior physiotherapist "Sam", shall we? It's a nice name.
We introduce ourselves, and then go and sit in one of the little curtained areas with the physiotablebedthingy and the computer and chairs. I ask if he wants my clothes on or off as I unlace my boots, but he laughs and motions for me to stop. "An experienced physio patient, I see. No, no, we're going to talk for a while first." We go into the history of my injury ("slipped" and ruptured disc, excessive scar tissue growth after surgery), the physical and psychological sequelae (chronic pain, moderate disability, moderate craziness) the effect it has had on my life (rather disastrous), and the treatments I've had (too many to list here).
He tells me that he's a senior physiotherapist who specializes in treating people with long-term, resistant chronic pain (where 'resistant' means that treatments have a limited effectiveness), and that he only takes patients by referral. Oooh. That explains the long wait to see him.
He asks what I want to get out of seeing him. I tell him that I'm starting my first job in 5 years in September, and that by the time I start, I'd like to be as fit and strong as I can be, and in as little pain as is possible for me. I'd also really like to develop some way to manage my muscle spasms better, as they're the most disabling part of my back problem.
He says, "I think we can do better than that".
