United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I've never had surgery either. Not even physical therapy. I only just started to understand what Erb's Palsy entailed earlier this year, other than the first hand experience of my left arm doesn't work like my right arm. I feel that not having fully understood what BPI was, I was extra determined to work out my left arm to get it as up to par as my right arm as I could. It's definitely not the anywhere near the same, but I do feel I'm better off for it now. I have also been thinking about going to a real physical therapist recently, just have to figure out the finances.

Chris 24/LOBPI

I do EVERYTHING recommended by others on this Board and the TBPI message Board for pain now from over-use and artheritis: Hot Tub for 15 mins doing slooooow EASY stretches and WARM WATER pool gentle slooow exercizes/stretches, massage, & Chiroprater[Don't have $ or coverage at present]

Carolyn J
LOBPI/71

I've never had surgery and have had PT ever since I can remember. When I was young it was done at home and many normal household functions were used as therapy were used.

I go to a chiropractor (got my hand to neutral at about 50 years of age.) I have used massage therapy for pain and it helped. I have had formal therapy so many sessions using ART (active release therapy). I get monthly B-12 shots and have gotten them since my early teens. When I stop the shots I get sharp spasms in my upper arm. I actually loose my breath because they are so sharp. I don't know why the shots work but they calm my nervous system and I don't get the pains. I stopped for many years on and off but always went back to them because I hate those spasms.

I used the hot tub for many years and it really helped with my back, neck and gave me a place to do ROM in warm water. The water we need to work out in should be warmer than 87 degrees, I prefer 90 degrees.

Most of all you should be doing your ROM on a daily basis to keep your arm stretched and moving.

Kath robpi/adult

I am like many of you who have posted so far. I've never seen a doctor about my arm, aside from a couple of months after birth. I really don't know what do as far as talking to my doctor. Occasionally I have pain, but I usually just apply some icy hot or even just take a break and relax my arm. It's quite frustrating at times.

I've never heard about getting into a hot tub. I don't really have access to one, but I assume a hot bath would work pretty well too; especially with some added epsom salt

Jennifer
Nice to meet you.
One of the things that really helps to keep from getting so tight all the time is stretching. If you stretch after a shower it will really help. I often lay down on the floor to get a good ROM (range of motion). The bath will really help but doing a little ROM on a daily bases my also help to ease some of the pain. Remember your muscles must be warm to stretch them.

Glad you found us. It's important for you to know that when we were new here most of us knew very little about our injury. Read the information pages and educate your self about bpi. Most doctors have very little information regarding this injury and it's long term effects.

Good news, Tina.
KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!

Nice to "meet" you, Jennifer P. Please come back more often. We learn from one another...FYI...Fitness Centers/Clubs have hot t tubs/jacuzzi's...YMCA's do too.

HUGS,
Carolyn J
LOBPI adult

I'm not really new...been on these forums for a little while under alias "Concentrate". I went to UBPN Camp back in...i dunno...2000, 2001?

I know a lot about the injury too...but always learning.

I never had surgery until I was 40. I had an ulnar nerve retransposition to regain some feeling in my ring finger. A couple of years later I had to have medial nerve surgery on my good arm for overuse. As a child my mother would drive me to therapy 2 time a week. It was an hour car ride each way. I had been in severe pain all of my adult life, until I went to a pain specialist when I was about 45. I am now in no pain.

Judy 48 ROBPI

Oh wow, that is very interesting to hear! I don't have severe pain, but my pain does come and go.

FYI, Jennifer, there is a long discussionn Topic Thread on PAIN on this Forum somewhere. Just type the word in the "Search Forum" Box at the top of any page & ALL Posts should come up for you.

Carolyn J