Recommended Physiotherapist/Back pain Doctor in Bangkok

[Wandered]

Does anybody have a good recommendation for a good Physiotherapist or Doctor of Physical Medicine in Bangkok?  Have upper back pain between shoulder blade and spine, also lower back pain.

[wpcoe]

BNH Hospital on Soi Convent has a Spine Centre which comes highly recommended by several forum members, including me.  My doctor was Dr. Eakpatipan, but others here have also recommended Dr. Wicharn.  The Physiotherapy Clinic next to the Spine Centre also gets high marks from me.  I went there with lower back pain (ruptured disc).

[Sheryl]

+1

It's important to know what the pain is from before starting physiotherapy as it makes a difference to what sort of movements/manipulations are adviusable

 

This hospital also has a good physical therapy department to which the spine doctors will refer if indicated

[chubby]

keep in mind that 80% of back pain will go away with time, and not to do anything to create a bigger problem.  like IMHO manipulation/chiropracters :)

 

prone propping on elbows might be a blanket trial, if symptoms don't increase,  try it 15 minutes  2-4 times/day 

[Indya]

Hi,

 

I'm also looking for some advice about a good physiotherapist. I've had back pain getting more and more severe for a year now. I attended Samitivej who administered the most painful acupuncture I've ever had (almost passed out from the pain) and suggesting burning herbs around my body - I was not impressed - as well as a private chiropractor who was recommended on forums but honestly seemed to make it worse after 2 months (and a lot of money) with him.

I have just had an MRI showing 2 herniated discs at Sukhumit Hospital. I started physio there last week and was in particularly severe pain after they did traction. I was told to attend every day but after 4 sessions I had such bad sciatica in my leg I could barely walk. The physio seemed to think I should just continue as per the doctor's orders, but I hobbled back to the doctor who was visibly shocked at how much weight had been put on the traction and told me stop and rest immediately, signing me off work for 3 days. Needless to say I have no desire to go near the physios at Sukhumvit again! I know people are suggesting BNH but I'm concerned about cost as my insurance only covers me 1200 baht per outpatient visit. Does anyone have any info on general costs at BNH or could recommend anywhere cheaper with a decent reputation.

 

I'm getting pretty desperate as this has been going on so long. Thanks in advance!

[7000gods]

After 3 months of severe and worsening back pain-these guys fixed me in 2 visits.

A chiropractic treatment,ultrasound,some gym work and an exercise routine.

This balm calmed the pain well.

1600 per visit.Hope things improve for you

 

 

 

 

Good luck.

 

 

Edited January 19, 2018 by 7000gods

[HooHaa]

http://thailandchiropractor.com/

Dr mark Leoni has helped me greatly in the past.

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Indya said:

Hi,

 

I'm also looking for some advice about a good physiotherapist. I've had back pain getting more and more severe for a year now. I attended Samitivej who administered the most painful acupuncture I've ever had (almost passed out from the pain) and suggesting burning herbs around my body - I was not impressed - as well as a private chiropractor who was recommended on forums but honestly seemed to make it worse after 2 months (and a lot of money) with him.

I have just had an MRI showing 2 herniated discs at Sukhumit Hospital. I started physio there last week and was in particularly severe pain after they did traction. I was told to attend every day but after 4 sessions I had such bad sciatica in my leg I could barely walk. The physio seemed to think I should just continue as per the doctor's orders, but I hobbled back to the doctor who was visibly shocked at how much weight had been put on the traction and told me stop and rest immediately, signing me off work for 3 days. Needless to say I have no desire to go near the physios at Sukhumvit again! I know people are suggesting BNH but I'm concerned about cost as my insurance only covers me 1200 baht per outpatient visit. Does anyone have any info on general costs at BNH or could recommend anywhere cheaper with a decent reputation.

 

I'm getting pretty desperate as this has been going on so long. Thanks in advance!

 

Really suggest you see Dr. Wicharn, in addition to BNH (his main location for private practice) he is at Bangkok Christian Hospital once a week. I have no info on PT services at Bangkok Christian (they are reported to be good at BNH).

 

A consultation with Dr. Wicharn at BNH will run you around 1800 baht, give or take; at Bangkok Christian maybe 1200.  I don't know PT costs per session but not likely to be much higher. However your insurance likely does not treat PT in same category as out patient consultations so check your policy.

 

Bring the MRI with you when you go, also bring along Xray if one was done (if not, he may order one)

 

https://www.bnhhospital.com/spine/team/

 

https://www.bch.in.th/en/doctor-th-4/surgery/item/696-doc31.html

 

 

[Indya]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I actually saw Mark Leoni for 2 months, around 12 sessions altogether, and I honestly think he exacerbated the problem - although to be fair I did not have the mri at that time. I saw Dr Wicharn at BNH and was fairly upset with the consultation. I waited an hour and a half past my appointment time for a 5 minute consult with him, where he immediately suggested surgery because I've had the pain over a year, with very little discussion or testing of my movement. Moreover, the surgery is estimated at 320,000 baht and there is no way my paltry school insurance will pay that out - I've also only had it since 18 December.

 

I feel at a bit of a loss. Do I really need surgery for this? I feel like I haven't really had decent physio to tackle the diagnosed problem before going straight to surgery. I may give J-clinic a shot - does anyone know if they speak good English?

[Sheryl]

Whether or not you need surgery depends on the nature of the problem. Surgery is usually not necessary for a herniated disc  as with time these wil retract, but a herniated disc will also not usually cause pain for a full year. If there is too little space in the spine for the nerves to exit, or if there is a bone spur impinging on a nerve, then no amount of physio is going to help and if you are a good surgical candidate then yes, you need surgery.

 

As cost is a consideration (and indeed, a new insurance policy is not likely to cover it since it pre-dates the policy) you could consider having it done at Chulalongkorn or other government hospital.

 

Dr. Wicharn is on faculty at Chula. Another western trained spinal specialists there, if you would lijke a second opinion, is:

 

Assoc. Prof. WORAWAT LIMTHONGKUL

 

Suggest you try to see hoim through the chula after hours clinic (13th floor main OPD building from 4 Pm onward and Stayrday mornings - register first on the main floor. You may have to go in person first to make the appointment).

[chubby]

surgery (even 'microdiskectomy') can be a can of worms, with back pain , and 'studies' even MRIs often don't match Symptoms,  as a clinician we were taught this very early, and a large research paper back in the day.

 

like drugs it's risk/benefit,  IIRC the criteria for  ladies with compression fractures, to reinflate the verterbrae body, is if they "can't walk" after an acute type fracture, as a guideline.  if it's stenosis, a laminectomy might have a bit more success rate,   is it less painful  when you flatten your back, vs just standing  :)

[poanoi]

On 1/26/2018 at 9:22 AM, Indya said:

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I actually saw Mark Leoni for 2 months, around 12 sessions altogether, and I honestly think he exacerbated the problem - although to be fair I did not have the mri at that time. I saw Dr Wicharn at BNH and was fairly upset with the consultation. I waited an hour and a half past my appointment time for a 5 minute consult with him, where he immediately suggested surgery because I've had the pain over a year, with very little discussion or testing of my movement. Moreover, the surgery is estimated at 320,000 baht and there is no way my paltry school insurance will pay that out - I've also only had it since 18 December.

 

I feel at a bit of a loss. Do I really need surgery for this? I feel like I haven't really had decent physio to tackle the diagnosed problem before going straight to surgery. I may give J-clinic a shot - does anyone know if they speak good English?

hello, how much does mri cost ?

i had a professional therapist for lower back and the principle is:

lock your back and then add pressure on it, so no situps,

but squats will work according to the principle,

and triceps pushdown also, lots of exercises strengthen

the core, just be careful that your back is locked in a fixed position during the pressure. swimming wasnt recommended, but its OK if you swim on back

Edited March 6, 2018 by poanoi