hypo
Board Supporter
Two days ago I was sitting in an informal meeting when my back gradually started to hurt and feel odd. The pain was in my upper back, in the area between the inside edge of my left shoulder blade and spine. An hour or two earlier I had been doing some light lifting but did not notice anything at the time.
I had trouble standing/sitting up straight, I could not twist, especially to the right, and inhaling deeply caused pain as well. The pain was fairly intense; a constant dull pain and a sharp pain whenever I did any of the motions previously mentioned.
The doctor they sent me to diagnosed it as a paraspinal muscle injury. Two days later, there is no sharp pain but the area "feels funny" and a definate tension/dull pain is felt when doing the movements that bother me. I'm sure most of you know how a minor tear feels a few days later.
They want to send me to two weeks of physical therapy, which I feel is a little overkill. Seeing as how I would go during work hours and not be paid, I have to decide if I want to do the therapy or not.
So, my question is, is taking advantage of the therapy worth missing out on being paid by being at work? (I'm on light duty) Can they really do anything besides provide stretching exercises? I would like to hear some experiences of what PT is like, as I have never been. If it will heal just the same on its own I would rather just go to work and be put on light duty, as I really need my paychecks right now.
Also of curiosity, is it possible to pull this muscle simply by sitting wrong or having incorrect posture? It only started hurting when I was seated at a meeting, slouched over, and I can't really think of anything earlier that day that could have pulled it, though the day before is another story. Can a sprain become apparent a whole day after injury?
I had trouble standing/sitting up straight, I could not twist, especially to the right, and inhaling deeply caused pain as well. The pain was fairly intense; a constant dull pain and a sharp pain whenever I did any of the motions previously mentioned.
The doctor they sent me to diagnosed it as a paraspinal muscle injury. Two days later, there is no sharp pain but the area "feels funny" and a definate tension/dull pain is felt when doing the movements that bother me. I'm sure most of you know how a minor tear feels a few days later.
They want to send me to two weeks of physical therapy, which I feel is a little overkill. Seeing as how I would go during work hours and not be paid, I have to decide if I want to do the therapy or not.
So, my question is, is taking advantage of the therapy worth missing out on being paid by being at work? (I'm on light duty) Can they really do anything besides provide stretching exercises? I would like to hear some experiences of what PT is like, as I have never been. If it will heal just the same on its own I would rather just go to work and be put on light duty, as I really need my paychecks right now.
Also of curiosity, is it possible to pull this muscle simply by sitting wrong or having incorrect posture? It only started hurting when I was seated at a meeting, slouched over, and I can't really think of anything earlier that day that could have pulled it, though the day before is another story. Can a sprain become apparent a whole day after injury?