Shockwave Therapy By Chiropractor

[SnoopyJ]

I just went to a Chiropractor for treatment of agonizing pain in my upper back. He wants to treat me with shockwave therapy but I have concerns of this affecting my atrial fibrillation. I am presently only taking an anticoagulant, and no other meds for my AF. Has anyone had this type of treatment before, and if so did it cause any problems?

[jeanjeannie50]

Interesting, I've never heard of shockwave therapy and will now go and look it up. As I'm in constant AF it may help me!!!

For you, I don't think it would be a good idea.

Jean

[SnoopyJ in reply to jeanjeannie50]

According to the article sent by Threecats it appears that this procedure should be avoided by anyone taking anticoagulants. It’s a definite no-no for me and I would think most of us in AF.

[DawnTX in reply to SnoopyJ]

I agree I was told absolutely not. None of us need another trigger if we can avoid them

[DawnTX in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hon he’s talking about a back treatment not a fib. I am taking it to be something like a tens machine. Please be careful.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to DawnTX]

I know, sorry I was joking.

[DawnTX in reply to jeanjeannie50]

L O L you had me worried. You are usually the one I go to for answers lol I have said things silly though, and because of how I can make the delivery people will believe me I have a feeling you were like me because I thought you were being serious for a moment. Oh, if only it were that easy to get rid of a fib.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to DawnTX]

It was that easy for me as a cardioversion never failed to put me back into sinus rhythm. Unfortunately, after having two in one year and still going back into AF it was decided not to give me any more. To say I was disappointed is putting it politely.

[DawnTX in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I know how you felt. My doctor told me he would do no more or any more ablations because of my scarring as well as the fact, these things are not working for me. I think he did the right thing for me. Thank you I love reading the things you write. I am having a bad day today with my heart rate in the 90s although I am set for 80. I can also feel my heart pounding away often on a whole day and I just don’t feel well. I’m debating whether to call the clinic or wait and see how I feel tomorrow. Please take care. Talk to you later.

[Threecats]

Hi Snoopy

I just found this on the NHS site. If it’s what your chiropractor is proposing I think I’d give it a swerve if I were in your circumstances. It looks like it may be contraindicated if taking anticoagulants anyway.

wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/...

[SnoopyJ in reply to Threecats]

Thanks for sending this Threecats. As I’m taking Rivaroxaban/Xarelto it appears to be a very definite NO. Yesterday they were already planning on hooking me up until I told them I didn’t want them to proceed until I checked it out. I’m actually surprised that they didn’t already know the risk involved, but will certainly pass this article on to them.

[Threecats in reply to SnoopyJ]

Gosh Snoopy, if you don’t mind me saying so, that seems a bit gung ho of them, given that I’m sure you’ve told them about your AF! A good idea to share the article with them , I think.

I hope you find another solution for your upper back pain, I get that myself and know how miserable it can be.

All the best, TC

[SnoopyJ in reply to Threecats]

Yes they were aware of the AF and the fact that I was on an anticoagulant but I told them I wanted to check it out first before attempting. I’ve already sent them the link you provided as I have another appointment tomorrow. The pain is driving me mad as there’s no escaping it. I appreciate this forum as it’s my “go to” for current info, as the patients are the ones that really seem to be on top of what’s going on in the “land of AF”. Thanks again!

[DawnTX in reply to SnoopyJ]

I am also on Xarelto and told absolutely not even before the pacemaker. Also anything to do with shots in the spinal area. It may be six months before I can finally get my back surgery my lower disk and hip I was supposed to have it a year and a half ago, but that is when my a fib came back with a vengeance. Most doctors don’t want to touch you when you have heart rates likes many of us have best of luck

[gsd01 in reply to Threecats]

The 'we don't know exactly how it works' in the patient leaflet may raise some concerns!

[mjames1]

Yikes. Sounds like something that would put you into a fib.

[Auriculaire]

Have you had the cause of the upper back pain medically assessed?

[SnoopyJ in reply to Auriculaire]

Just X-ray with no determination as to the problem, nor concern as to how to correct it. I’ve never been to a chiropractor before and just decided to see one that was highly recommended but having my doubts now that this is the right option.

[LaceyLady]

Horrified! 'Shocking'!! Don't like Chiro's rather an Osteopath which I'm shortly to see for my severe neck and head pain My previous Osteopth who was amazingly highly qualified, didn't like them either - too much bone cracking and then, they were not regulated. It helps when I'm a qualified Complementary Therapist of many years - so glad for my knowledge.

[Autumn_Leaves in reply to LaceyLady]

Agree. A properly qualified and registered osteopath is a far better option than a chiropractor. As you say, unregulated and some of these “cracking” manoeuvres are not without risk. Another option is a properly qualified physiotherapist. I’ve seen osteopaths for back problems in the past. I wouldn’t go to a chiropractor. We need to be very careful in choosing who we place our trust in when it comes to our healthcare.

[Moongold7]

Just wanted to say that I think an Osteopath would be a better choice than chiropractor. I've had excellent many treatments from both, but found that Osteos tend to get right into the painful areas and know how to bring it out - their massages were wonderful - very pain-releasing, and so much better than physiotherapy I also had for a badly damaged shoulder and upper arm. I'd also however check with your GP that either is safe for you in particular beforehand. I also am a bit suspicious of this 'shockwave' therapy - never heard of it.

[SnoopyJ in reply to Moongold7]

Thanks for the advice….will check out this option as well.

[Moongold7 in reply to SnoopyJ]

Just for interest, as I've not heard of SW therapy, I Googled it and this warning came up: "This type of treatment isn't suitable if: You have a blood clotting disorder and/or take blood thinning or anticoagulant medications such as aspirin (75mg on a daily basis) or Warfarin, You have a nerve disorder or you're pregnant." Hope it might help.

[LaceyLady in reply to Moongold7]

I’ve used qualified osteopaths for decades without detriment. Drs probably will not understand how they work and send you to a physio. I’ve not found physio as useful and I know a good qualified one, Osteopathy works better for me. Physios barely touch you, just give exercises.

[Moongold7 in reply to LaceyLady]

Absolutely agree with you. Most conservative doctors today are trained to stick with their closed minds and not think outside the box, unfortunately! The physio I was sent to was aged about 25, and strapped my back on both sides with such tough adhesive, wide tape it was literally ripping my skin off. I complained about the tape 2 days later as it did nothing to support or help support my shoulder or ease the pain (as she promised it would), but then I also then proved allergic to it - wide, red strips across my back wherever it was placed, from shoulder to almost waistline. She called me back to remove it, but as I was being 'treated' for a dislocated shoulder (or something similar, can't remember exactly now!), every pull of the tape was close to agonising. One would think some small prior skin test would have been used, but no, she was more concerned at using my time to tell me how good her services were instead! I was astounded when I then made deserved complaint about her 'treatments' to the clinic she worked for, to receive only idiotic, panicked denial of them having done anything wrong followed by yet more frantic verbal 'assurances' about how great their services were! Today it seems it's 'fashionable' to simply 'up the anti' and deny reality and blatantly LIE - nobody gave a damn about the suffering patient! Once bitten, forever shy - no problem at all with the osteopath, ever - and she got straight onto locating the problem and gently but firmly easing the pain. It took a few consults to bring all of it out, but if you get a good osteo, you can't wait to get back to them! Wonderful!

[LaceyLady in reply to Moongold7]

did you get someone to take photos of your skin? I’m allergic to that tape too! Physio was so busy talking I couldn’t get a word in and next, foot SO it hurt I had to remove it a apply hydrocortisone cream for weeks!

Dressing reaction

[Moongold7 in reply to LaceyLady]

No, I didn't As usual my life was too busy at the time to think of anything other than 'get out of this!'. It was just a mass of red almost pustule-like lesions and some were open, with blood inside. It looked like a heat rash and was very itchy. They don't take enough care with people - it's like we're slabs of wood to them, needing a bandaid! Glad you got past it, anyway. Education in health today I believe is grossly inadequate even on the basics - years ago I never had a problem wi th any treater or treatment. I've learned to stay alert and check everything. I'm even more astounded by specialists who simply dole out pills without even discussing them with patients - we're not a conveyor belt and most today have associated illnesses needing consideration.

[LaceyLady in reply to Moongold7]

Horrified

[Moongold7 in reply to LaceyLady]

LaceyLady, I don't know why but your photo didn't show on my end until just now! Yes, that is the sort of reaction I had also, only there was hundreds of little blood-filled almost pimples that came up out of the redness, and the strips of tape were about double the width you reveal here. I guess we learn by our experiences, but surely a simple skin test with a tiny bit of the tape is the usual way treaters test these things, BEFORE they simply apply the full tape!

[geepo1]

I have just had 5 treatments of shockwave therapy on muscles in my thigh and back. The relief from this treatment is unbelievable, I hadn’t been able to walk normal for months, it was worth it for me. I have had AF for 12 years, my medication is Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban. I’m not aware of any side effects but I will check again with the physio.

[SnoopyJ in reply to geepo1]

I’m actually just heading out for my second appointment with the Chiropractor and am going to tell him that I don’t think I should be having it. Let me know what your physio says as I’d just about do anything to get rid of this pain, and if they have no concerns might just reconsider.

[SnoopyJ in reply to SnoopyJ]

After my appointment with Chiropractor today he said after further investigation that I would definitely not be a candidate…so that’s it. Am still considering an osteopath as suggested by so many on this forum. Thanks to everyone for your feedback…most appreciated.

[DawnTX]

I was told point-blank to avoid it, including even using a tens machine etc at home. Please talk to your physician first, which ever one is handling your heart issues.

[Moongold7]

It has me wondering why your treater didn't investigate this fully in the first place!