Good News......Astym

[K8te]

Can't imagine dealing with this misery in both knees. I'm glad you're getting relief. I tried water aerobics today. Haven't done this in months. I was in shallow water and felt the burn. Normally I'm ok with that, but I was concerned that this was overaggressive with ASTYM. I retreated to deeper water and just kept my leg in motion. I'm calling the surgeon's office tomorrow to discuss postponing surgery. I think it will just be a set back.

I really don't know how long I'll be getting these treatments. I sense the PT I'm working with has not had a lot of AF patients.She has not mentioned the rest period you have talked about.  I can tell she's pleased with my progress.

I hope things turn around for you real soon.
Kathy

[Decruz]

I didn't get any benefit after 18 ASTUM sessions, but if you're improving you have to postpone whatever surgery until you'll hit the ASTYM benefits' plateau, then you'll draw a line and decide.
That's the right approach, definitely - whatever non surgical treatment is giviing permanent improvements has to be continued as risks are minimal compared to surgery

[kcknee]

Decruz-

Maybe you want to try Graston therapy, which is available in the UK. If you start to get inflammation after a treatment, I would stop, but it might work for you. It is really helping with the scar tissue in my leg.

Kristin

[starpolisher]

DeCruz......
Because I have had faster and better luck with one knee over the other, your scar tissue could be very dense and maybe Graston would be something for you to look into.....but I am no expert in Graston!  I've had about 60 Astym treatments!  My one knee is really in much better shape and my other one that was more difficult is, after this more aggressive Astym, responding and my PT said she has no doubt she can get my one knee as good as the other one.  I am now recovering from 2x a week treatments for 2 months.  My knees are so much thinner!  I can feel the lumps and bumps of scar tissue that still has to be broken down!  I am going to ask my therapist about heat before she does astym.....it makes sense that it might soften the scar tissue. 

It was Dr. Sevier (the doctor who developed these procedures) who gave her advice about my knees because arthrofibrosis is very uncommon and many pt's as well as orthopedics never see it!  He told her to start very gently with me and only do it once a week and give me rest periods.  Because our brains send the wrong message and we overheal (make too much scar tissue) he wanted her to be very careful not to trigger this in my treatments.  I think because I had so much scar tissue and I didn't make anymore during the treatments, they felt they could try to be more aggressive and I really have made progress!  It's been painful at times but nothing like the description of Graston.....I would be afraid if it hurt that much.  But perhaps it's worth a try....it's certainly less aggressive than surgery!  Living this long with AF really altered my life!  I had to quit working and life has been so limited!  Even though it's taken time, Astym is giving me back my life.  I'm anxious to see how I'll feel after the soreness and healing in my knees from this latest series is complete.  It takes approx. 5 to 7 days to really get around without the soreness.  I'd say my therapist was quite a bit more aggressive this last series and it's only been 2 days since my last treatment.

I think it's a very good idea for any therapist consult with the headquarters of Astym before working on anyone with arthrofibrosis in the knees because they probably have never had a patient and certainly they are gathering information from others like me who are having astym for this rare condition.

[Decruz]

Decruz-

Maybe you want to try Graston therapy, which is available in the UK. If you start to get inflammation after a treatment, I would stop, but it might work for you. It is really helping with the scar tissue in my leg.

Kristin

I'm now actually interested in trying Graston therapy. Is it available all over Europe or just in UK (talking about EU)?
Thank you
Goodbye

Ps: feel free to talk through a private message, I'd appreciate that

[missmyknee]

Decruz

Here is the Graston website and locate a provider. There are providers in the UK and other countries. You need to page down past locations in the U.S and Canada to see how to find in other countries.

http://www.grastontechnique.com/LocateaProvider.html

Pam

[starpolisher]

Just wanted to add an interesting point re my knees.  I have panic disorder (which has been under pretty good control with meds) but occasionally it will flare up.  One of the things that is affected is my muscles get very tense.  Pain will aggravate it and this last astym series was more painful.....plus living in area of US (Indiana) where we are having record breaking heat and very little rain.  Miserable summer!  The past few weeks my knees have been really bothering me and it's a vicious cycle....more stress, more pain.  I increased my Panic Disorder meds for a sort period and voila.....my knees feel sooooooo much better.....my muscles are much more relaxed.  All in all, I am feeling pretty good during this time off period.  I'm taking at least 2 months off .... maybe 3.....but I do know my one knee that has always been more dense with scar tissue is the painful one as the other broke down much easier.....so want to go back and get that knee much closer to the better knee. 

Decruz, let us know how the Graston works for you!  When they got more aggressive with my astym this last time, the knee that was so stubborn finally started responding better.  I wish you all the best.