Hi Guys,
I've been going to the chiropractor for the past couple weeks, a few times a week. He does it with physically adjusting me, popping & cracking, twisting, etc., not with that new technology stuff. if ya know what i mean, lol. I'm starting to wonder if i should have talked with my current RA doctor about it (my most recent one switched to an emergency doctor. My past one said it was ok though but then again that one also over dosed me.... Anyways, I've been extra painful & stiff lately. My neck gets sharp pains shooting through it multiple times a day. You know the kind that happen every once in a while when you turn your head to fast....thats what it feels like except it doesnt go away for quite a while & just comes & goes. I've had lost a semi-large amount of ROM for quite sometime in multiple joints including my back & neck so you can just imagine how it feels when he jerks me around. he SAID he would be able to help with things....i know he MEANS well. is it normal to get worse THEN better after a chiropractor?? i still have some appointments with him. but am unsure.
thanks guys!!!!
daddysgimpygirlI've never to been to a chiropractor. I would definately discuss your current problems with your RD before going any further with chiropractic treatment. Hello. Because I've always insisted on living like I was twenty until arthritis became a permanent part of my life my chiropractor of many years has put back together many many times. (My physical therapist has been most helpful, too!)
1. No, it isn't uncommon to become rather stiff and sore after a treatment but it shouldn't last more than a couple of days and you definitely shouldn't feel worse or have more problems than when you went in.
2. What exactly do you mean by a few times a week? You're appointments should never be any closer than every four days and that's without the complication of arthritis.
3. Most chiropractors, including mine, now use a device called a responder to make needed adjustments. It isn't necessary to twist, turn and pull on the body.
Yes, I've gone in to have my neck realigned since arthritis became a part of my life. Had instant relief and nothing else.
Trust me, if you talk with your gp or rheumy they will advise you not to seek the help of a chiropractor. Incidentally, insurance companies recognize their value and are included in most insurance plans and by Medicare, etc. - Take Care -
thanks both of you!!
i see my RA doc on the 7th of december now.
the main thing that is worse than before i started seeing him a couple weeks ago is those pains in my neck. I see him ummm about every other day or sometimes every 3 days.
the device you mentioned is what a friend of mine was telling me about that hers uses. however mine doesnt even have that, he is more of a small business kinda thing.
im kinda anxious for my appointment to get here. it is a new RA doc as i mentioned before. im kinda bummed though, i loved my other one who switched to emergency dr!!
im glad the chiropractor helps you!! its great to have something that helps with the discomfort of things.
alright well i have an appointment early tomorrow so i better get off of here.
thanks again!!
daddysgimpygirl
Hello. Don't know what country/state you're from but may I offer you some advice? 1. If you're in the U.S. you can contact your state medical board for a list of reputable chiropractors; 2. If you live in a metro area or near one you can contact the better business bureau or equivelant; and 3. Ask friends, relatives, or people you come into contact with frequently and feel you can trust for recommendations. - Take Care -
Please be careful with Chiropractic treatment! I see a wonderful Chirporactor who really helps me but I know my treatment is very different to the treatment he gives people without arthritis and I also know that some (so-called) chiropractors aren't as highly trained/qualified/knowlegable as mine and could do damage to fragile joints like ours! The right chiropractic can help enormusly and it can be tender at the time and for a while after but it shouldn't be worse! I am concerned by the symptoms you describe, one of the rare complications of chiropractic is stroke caused by interfering with the blood vessels that supply the brain, I think it's about the same risk as having your hair washed at the hair dresser but still a risk so get it checked out. I would always aske the Chiro if s/he has treated people with arthritis before and what s/he suggests and listen for her/him talking with knowlege about the disease and it's complications, they should know about it! My Chiro was very knowlegable but wanted to look up my meds etc before he started treatment.
Good luck
KT
IT's hard to know about chiropractic because a lot of doctors don't "believe" in it. I used to see a chiropractor regularly before I developed RA and it really helped (especially in my neck), but I stopped going because when I told him I had RA he said I had to find out what was causing it, like my diet and stuff. I took that to indicate he didn't know a lot about RA. I also read in "Plan to Win" to not let anyone ever adjust your joints.
Going to a Chiropractor was thevery best treatment I could have done. Initially I was reluctant but I could see the relief my sister felt so I did go in adn I am hear to tell you it was the difference between night and day for me.
Mine uses the device called the responder or whatever it is and he pops all my pieces back into place. YEs it takes time, and yes I was a bit sore a few times while my body was adjusting to my back and hips being in proper alignment. I continue to go to the Chiropractor adn always will and feel only better physically and emotionally because of it.
Jode
Hi again,
One of the things I found good about my Chiro is that he doesn't claim he can 'cure' arthritis. He was very upfront about that. His goal is to help with pain and mobility. We often talk about how joints can be damaged from external things and how this can affect the PA I have. He works around the most tender joints, trying to loosen muscles etc rather than manipulate damaged or inflamed joints. What he says makes sense, don't be afraid to challenge your Dr or Chiro, ask for explanations, if something seems impossible ask how and kee asking it until you understand! Don't let him near you with that spring loaded hammer thingie until you're sure of what he's doing - you wouldn't take a drug without knowing what it does or what the side effects might be would you? My Chiro and I have a kind of parallel treatment plan, he eventually wants to help me cut down on the extra drugs like the cox-2 inhibitors, he agrees totally with my need to have mtx and infliximab to try to halt the disease. I leave the chiro office with spring in my step and feeling light and bendy (I may not be bendy but I feel it!). I sometimes feel a little tender to the touch but never worse than when I went in - I wouldn't go back! My Rheumatologist says he's neutral about he chiro but I think thats because he has to be - he did say that if it helps and doesn't ahrm, do it! I can honestly say that it keeps me at work, in the past 13 months I have had 3 days in hospital (obviously couldn't go to work) and 1 day at home recuperating but that was all the time off I had, in the 12 months before that I had over 8 weeks off in total.
I hope you find something that works for you - I'd cross my fingers if they weren't so swollen
KT
I know some people get tremendous relief from the Chiro. The biggest concern with RA is manipulation of your neck if you have cervical damage. I would want films before they manipulate it to make sure there's no problems. There are cases where neck manipulation of a RA patient has caused sudden death because they didn't know there was damaged discs.
You might also consider seeing a D.O. instead of a M.D. because they combine traditional medicine and manipulation.
If the treatments are uncomfortable and make things worse, I wouldn't keep going down that route. You might consider someone that does good massage therapy. In fact, your Rheumy might write you up for physical therapy that focuses the massage therapy on those places. Plus, they give you exercises to help you manage problem areas. This might be less stressful on your body. And, I love a good massage.