Any Physios around? or veterans of?

[callmeovercautious]

A bit of background:

After 9m of Pregnancy and 18m of DD I still have really bad joint pain. I had v loose ligaments and mild SPD from v early on in my PG. Now the pain is especially bad in one foot. I went to the GP eventually who has ruled out Arthritus etc and has just referred me to the Physio for "Ultrasound therapy" for my foot. When I asked if BFing could affect my joints his answer was that only stopping Bfing would answer that and that he would not ask me to do that

He was very nice but did not actually explain why I needed it or what would happen or how long it might take to help!

I have Private Health care at work but the NHS service here is great so he said not to bother claiming and I would be seen in about 2 -3 weeks.

So the questions are:

1. What the hell is "Ultrasound Therapy" and will it hurt . I think he mentioned heat as well?
2. Should I push for Private referal - never done it before but would the treatment be any different? (no rows please 'tis an honest question).
3. Could extended BFing be affecting my joints this way really?

TIA

I'm not a physio, but I've had lots of physio.

1. Ultrasound therapy is just that: they use ultrasound to break down inflammation. It doesn't hurt, it is sometimes a bit warm. I've had it loads of times.

1. No idea. I think physio care varies a lot. I'd try the NHS folk and see how you get on with them. If you're still suffering from SPD, I can get you the name of a physio in North London (I think?) that does a special Canadian thing that really works - a friend was in a wheelchair when her DS was 2 or something, and this fixed her. I use a (private) practice at Aldgate East that I strongly recommend, too. But I'm sure there are other good practices.

1. Breastfeeding does loosen ligaments etc, I don't know how much though.

The foot thing sounds a bit weird - the physios may want to refer you to a podiatrist or an ortho maybe? Who knows.

Thanks notquitecockney. I will give the NHS a go. Never let me down so far

The SPD went really quickly, just bad joints in general now, especially this foot. I was quite lucky with the SPD it was mild, I remember feeling a real fraud for sitting in the SPD clinic surrounded by Women on Crutches and in tears

Agree with NQC, I've had loads of ultrasound not painful at all, in fact I found it very relaxing and it works. I've had private physio and NHS and IME treatment no different, although NHS will push for a solution more quickly IME as they want to keep waiting lists down - which can be a good thing from your point of view. Like any profession there are good physios and not so good so go by your instinct. BF will keep your joints loose - I too had SPD in pregnancy as well as being arthritic and I only felt better after stopping BF. But ultimately your decision and I think joints will take a while to get back to normal after stopping. HTH