Physiotherapy and A Fib

[President2012]

Hi Folks. I have had PAF for 21 years now. Has anyone experienced an A Fib episode some hours after an intense physiotherapy session? I have severe osteoarthritis in my neck. The physio is to give me more movement in my neck which is very limited currently. I had to push through resistance to turn my head left and right. It was very difficult. I just wonder of the effort was too much and set off the A Fib. A Fib can often start hours after the trigger according to my EP.

Any thoughts or experiences? Thanks

[jeanjeannie50]

A forum member here was a great believer in the spine and neck having an effect on AF. I dont know if he is still around but will give him a nudge EngMac . Hmm not sure that link is working, but let's wait and see EngMac .

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

The link is working.

[JaneFinn]

I’m sorry to hear that 😕

In case it’s any help I’ll pitch in with my own experience…

I see an amazing cranial osteopath for issues with my neck (I would recommend him to anyone). He says he needs to be very gentle especially when working on my C1-C3 area of the neck/bottom of the skull. This is because the vagal nerve, which travels through the that area and downwards, has huge effect on our heart rate and rhythm. (As well as on many other things.) 

He has testimonies to his treatment reducing the frequency of arrhythmias, or stopping an event when it’s started, so I wonder if the reverse could be true and maybe with the physio your vagal nerve has been irritated, triggering AF?

 I wonder if there’s a gentler way to achieve what they’re trying to achieve, or if it’s worth asking? Feel for you, I know how tough neck trouble is. Jx

[President2012 in reply to JaneFinn]

many thanks. That is very useful. Keep well

[secondtry in reply to JaneFinn]

Totally agree. Much better explained that my attempt would have been!

[JaneFinn in reply to secondtry]

Ha, well thank you! But I doubt that, I always look out for your helpful replies with great interest xx

[GrannyE in reply to JaneFinn]

Whereabouts are you? If you are anywhere near me then I would love to go to your chap.

[Spangle14 in reply to GrannyE]

me too!

[JaneFinn in reply to Spangle14]

I see him in North London (Barnet area) He also has a practice in Essex. If that’s any good for you, I can private message you his details xx

[Spangle14 in reply to JaneFinn]

Please do pm me with his deets. Thank you

[GrannyE in reply to JaneFinn]

Yes please. I might be able to get to Barnet. Essex no good at all for me as we are west of London. I wonder how many sessions one would need?

[JaneFinn in reply to GrannyE]

I see him in North London (Barnet area). He also has a practice in Essex. If that’s any good for you, I can private message you his details xx

[Maggimunro]

as a retired physio I am alarmed that a treatment session was so intense it triggered something like Afib. Our teaching mantra was always “First do no harm”.

If a patient presents with an extremely restricted cervical spine it should be a very gentle approach, concentrating on the patient’s own gentle controlled repetitive exercises throughout the day. Forced movements are a no-no for an OA neck. Think of all those possible bone fragments.

[President2012 in reply to Maggimunro]

many thanks. I was put in something that reminded me of the electric chair. I had a helmet on my head and had to move my head from centre to the left to hit a metal stop then back to centre. Then it would be to the right. I had to do this three times each side for one minute each time. It was tough. Thank you for your reply. I am seeing my EP next Wednesday and will ask him whether I should continue for the next six sessions. Thanks

[dunestar]

Pushing through resistance to that extent doesn't seem right to me.

[President2012 in reply to dunestar]

That is what I thought also. I have suspended any further sessions until after my consultation with my EP next Wednesday. Thank you for your comment

[Bolander]

Unfortunately, some physios can be overenthusiastic through lack of experience, as I found to my cost when I had the same problem with my neck. I was lucky to be referred to a doctor who specialised in this area, now retired. I still get the occasional flare up but am normally. OK. I would certainly recommend finding a physio who specialises in this area if you can.

[President2012 in reply to Bolander]

many thanks. Interestingly my physio is thought to be a good one and obviously does a lot of neck work given the expensive equipment he had.