Do I qualify for a discount with a masseus or physio

joseph9a

I am registered as disabled and receive DLA. I am usually just plodding along through life accepting my disability and trying to deal with it and things like not being able to bend down to tie my laces etc. but lately I've been thinking I'm fed up of just accepting it and I'm going to really try to improve my condition. I suffer with Ankylosing Spondilitis which fuses together the joint in the hips neck and spine over time. If not treated my spine would effectively become one bone and I wouldn't be able to bend or twist at all. I tried physio with the NHS but I got the feeling they couldn't wait to move me on. The service they offered was good but I feel it could be a lot better. I was suggesting things that could be done to improve my condition and the physio wouldn't really acknowledge it and would try and change the subject, a bit like they couldn't be bothered. I feel a log of my problems stem from stiffness in my muscles aswell as in my bones. I went through a phase in my life about 5 years were I did no exercise what so ever and barely left the house I feel that this has aggravated my condition and has aslo made all my muscles be affected also. Recently I paid to privately see a physiotherapist and told them what I have basically said here. She confirmed that aswell as having stiff joints some of my muscles particularly in my legs were severely tight and could be loosened up and stretched using exercise and deep tissue massage. She tolde one of my calfs was do stiff it felt like a rock. What I was wondering is, as I have a medical condition and am disabled would I be eligible for any discount, or would I be able to claim any money back? I am going for massage once a week at £25 a go, I have only been twice but can feel a big difference. I am seeing my rheumatologist this week and I am going to ask if massages are available on the nhs. Also are there and discounts for disabled people at gyms? I want to really have a go and try and get back to how I was a few years ago. My main aim is to be able to tie my laces and put my socks on again. Sorry for the long winded post.

Thanks

Joe

Twisted_Cherry

I am not sure about the massages on the NHS or cheaper because of disabilities. However I can tell you some gyms especially council run and NHS run do offer discounts for people on certain benefits.

Have you tried seeing if there is access to a hydro therapy pool for you to use. We have one in this town that my dad has access to it, he's found it really beneficial for his pain.

joseph9a

I'm not sure of any hydrotherapy pools but I was told there is only close by which is heated slightly which may be good

Parva

tl:dr - please reformat.

doinkthemonkee

just for Parva ....


I am registered as disabled and receive DLA.
I am usually just plodding along through life accepting my disability and trying to deal with it and things like not being able to bend down to tie my laces etc. but lately I've been thinking I'm fed up of just accepting it and I'm going to really try to improve my condition.
I suffer with Ankylosing Spondilitis which fuses together the joint in the hips neck and spine over time. If not treated my spine would effectively become one bone and I wouldn't be able to bend or twist at all.
I tried physio with the NHS but I got the feeling they couldn't wait to move me on. The service they offered was good but I feel it could be a lot better. I was suggesting things that could be done to improve my condition and the physio wouldn't really acknowledge it and would try and change the subject, a bit like they couldn't be bothered.
I feel a lot of my problems stem from stiffness in my muscles as well as in my bones. I went through a phase in my life about 5 years where I did no exercise what so ever and barely left the house I feel that this has aggravated my condition and has also made all my muscles be affected also.
Recently I paid to privately see a physiotherapist and told them what I have basically said here. She confirmed that as well as having stiff joints some of my muscles particularly in my legs were severely tight and could be loosened up and stretched using exercise and deep tissue massage. She told one of my calfs was so stiff it felt like a rock.
What I was wondering is, as I have a medical condition and am disabled would I be eligible for any discount, or would I be able to claim any money back?
I am going for massage once a week at £25 a go, I have only been twice but can feel a big difference. I am seeing my rheumatologist this week and I am going to ask if massages are available on the nhs.
Also are there and discounts for disabled people at gyms? I want to really have a go and try and get back to how I was a few years ago.
My main aim is to be able to tie my laces and put my socks on again.

Sorry for the long winded post.

Thanks

Joe

mllgnc

My hubby has AS, he was diagnosed in his early 20s and is now 52. He has always stayed active, not by going to the gym etc but by walking regularly and in general keeping active. As I'm sure your aware staying inactive is the absolute worst thing you can do if you have AS, and will in fact make your pain and stiffness much worse.

Even if you started of going on a short walk or swim and build up the duration over time. Swimming in particular is a very, very good way to exercise if you have AS. If managed properly you should hopefully be able to effectively control your condition.

I'm not sure what age you are but my hubby has always worked in a physical job, and as I said is now 52 and his AS really does not impact on his day to day life. In fact of the top of my head, I don't think any of the few sick days he had to take over the years have been connected to his AS.

Unfortunatly AS is not one of the more well known conditions and can be misunderstood sometimes. There are support groups, and also quite a lot of imformation online that should also help you with the condition. They may also be able to advise if there are discounts available for massages etc.

Parva

doinkthemonkee wrote: »

just for Parva ....

Now I could be flippant in return but I deserved that. If it's any consolation I'm severely disabled by definition (lost a leg) but even more severely disabled by the lack of help available. It's really opened my eyes becoming one of the disabled community, a club I never thought of joining but one I may just thrive in soon!

Snow_Angel

In reply to the original poster, I think you will find this website and link very helpful. It enables you to search for facilities and AS exercise access near you (you just type in your postcode).

I used to work in an NHS hospital which, in the evening, would have specific AS classes and hydrotherapy classes arranged through this charity. It seems that AS services are very different depending on which hospital you go to, which individual health professional you see and which services are available in your area.

Hope this information helps: http://www.nass.co.uk/nass-near-you/

This is also useful reading: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Ankylosing-spondylitis/Pages/Treatment.aspx

portly1

joseph9a wrote: »

I am registered as disabled and receive DLA.....I am going for massage once a week at £25 a go, I have only been twice but can feel a big difference.....I am going to ask if massages are available on the nhs.

Thanks

Joe

Me too. ESA Support Group & DLA (HRM & MRC).

£25 - that's a bit steep! Most of the girls in my town only charge £15. It's £25 for the full works so to speak.

I would no doubt agree with you - I suppose it can make a big difference to how you feel.

If you manage to find out if you can get it for free on the NHS, please post on here with the details. Due to vascular problems I have to take Levitra which has some very difficult side effects to try to cope with.


And before anybody complains about my post - it was done with a tongue in cheek attitude and shows no disrespect to the OP

Savvy_Sue

£25 would be about right for half an hour's massage round here, £45 for a full body massage taking an hour. That's the minimum I'd expect to pay.

joseph9a

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

£25 would be about right for half an hour's massage round here, £45 for a full body massage taking an hour. That's the minimum I'd expect to pay.

I wanted to go once a week, I'd like to go twice a week, I could just about afford to pay £100 a month but definitely not £200. I just think as it is something that is relieving pain for me I shouldn't have to pay that much. I don't think it is offered on the NHS but hopefully it will be in the future.