I was diagnosed four years ago, was decompressded two years ago and have been in physical therapy for four years. I have also been under the care of various doctors, the one who managed my condition recently retired and my neurologist has basically said "come back if your symptoms get worse".
My PT is trying to find a way to get me out of pt (which is NOT unreasonable after 4 years). I'm feeling scared because I don't know how to manage these symptoms on my own. I got to PT about every 2 weeks, this last time was 4 weeks.
I stretch every day (multiple times) and I manage (relative term) the pain and spasticity with baclofen, ibuprofen and diclofenac gel.
I have sporadically gone to the gym to use the warm therapy pool and hot tub, aqua exercises, etc, but the most effective treatment is myofascial release done by my pt. I know she is on the verge of discharging me permanently and I don't know what to do to manage on a daily basis.
Believe it or not, I'm a REHAB NURSE and I work 7 10 hour shifts in a row, every other week with extra shifts and just life in between... I'm a nurse and I have no idea what else I can do.
The major symptoms I'm dealing with are calf muscle tightness (I've come to call this spasticity), numbness and tingling from the knee down with a band like feeling around the leg just below the knee, plantar fasciitis and pain in my ribs, hips, low back and above and below both knees and elbows on the inside.
How do you manage this daily without medical intervention?