Hello everyone, I would like to ask if any of you guys had found any relief in any of these treatments. I was diagnosed with RD more than a month ago and have been taking 7.5mg Methotrexate. Symptoms have been mild enough for me to stay active but one thing that has been bothering me since I started working again is my neck, back and lower back, which increases when I'm sitting for too long (currently working as a banker). I recently had an MRI done to my lower spine and there was a herniated disc which I still wonder if it was cause by RD. My rheumatologist says that I might have a pinched nerve in the neck that's causing my back pain but at the moment I'm not sure. He also told me to do some neck and lower back stretches and that pain should go away soon, which it hasn't in almost 3 weeks.
Anyways, I was wondering if anyone here has tried going to a chiropractor or had acupuncture treatment before, and if it had any success? Any tips and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your feedback!
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ircmannj
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Hello, the only anti-inflammatory that I'm taking is 500mg Naproxen, but only as needed, I wonder if that will be enough... Thanks for the reply, I'll see if I can try acupuncture and keep on doing the exercises!
I had chiropractic treatment for many years before I was hit by RD. I’ve also got osteoporosis now so have not continued it.
Have you tried Pilates? I found it a great help for my lower back. Find a good teacher who understands your condition and have some individual lessons.
Also try not to sit for long periods of time ... take frequent short breaks to move around a bit.
I had to give up yoga because I found it was making my back problems worse. Certain poses could trigger back pain too. I seem to recall Warrior 2 was particularly bad! That's when I decided to switch to Pilates.
I have had many herniated discs, and personally wouldn’t let a chiropractor near them...much too forceful. For me they are nothing to do with RA, but due to having had heavy physical jobs in the past, age, and forgetting to do my exercises.
I’ve found stretching and postural exercises are the best treatment, as well as strengthening to stop (or minimise) it happening.
Generally it does take months of stretching, not weeks. I’ve found that if I ever stop then after a few weeks the problems will start to return, so basic stretches are now a daily routine. For my back it’s also important to build up your core strength, so pilates is brilliant (with a good teacher) and learning how to do the plank properly.
If you want to go see someone I would try a proper physiotherapist to get advice and coaching on stretching exercises.
I have to agree with the other posters - I would not let a chiropractor or even an osteopath manipulate my back until I had seen a physiotherapist, also knowing what I know now about osteoporosis I’d push for a DEXA scan to check that my bones were strong.
I have RA and have used a chiropractor several times. The last was to release a pinched nerve in my hip. This caused a numb leg and pins and needles. It was resolved after a few weeks of treatment. Walking awkwardly causes stiff and painful muscles so a massage from a chiropractor or a sports massage really helps me.
I work with lots of chiros, physios and osteos. I’m not sure a chiro would be the right choice, but an osteo definitely. They will have experience of people with RA and work much more holistically than a chiro. They’re generally much gentler, particularly if they offer cranial osteopathy.
I personally wouldn’t bother with a physio either if it’s your back. Knee or shoulder maybe, but back, no. Where are you geographically? I may have an osteo client in your area and I can ask them to call you to see if it would help you.
I spent £3000 on a chiropractor but unfortunately he failed to spot that I had degenerative scoliosis! I have since had 2 lots of surgery to release a trapped sciatic nerve which has worked so no I certainly wouldn’t recommend a chiropractor.
I'm actually a chiropractor and feel that the public knowledge of what chiropractors do is misleading. Part of the treatment CAN be spinal manipulation therapy but that would not be the preferred treatment method for this sort of injury. Chiropractic treatment also includes spinal mobilisation, soft tissue work and exercises. I personally also use needling. We are a very holistic profession and our qualification is a 4 year masters degree from an accredited university (which is more training than osteopaths do). Find a chiropractor who is registered with the general chiropractic council (GCC) as well as the British chiropractic association (BCA). This will allow you to receive evidence based treatment. I see herniated discs on a daily basis and I'm capable of telling whether pain is mechanical or inflammatory
Yes and no. Both use needles (just different sizes). Chiropractors usually use "dry needling technique" which means that we find tight "lumps" in muscles and put a needle in it to release it. It is more localised. The theory with regards to acupuncture is a bit broader and deals with meridians and energy flow but I'm no expert when it comes to acupuncture
As a patient I agree with you. I have never been pulled about by my chiropractor. I have had gentle but effective help with shoulders hips and knees which have really helped me.
I see an registered osteopath for the back pain I get from disc problems. She has in the past not treated me on one occasion when I went to her with upper back pain as she thought from examining me that it was inflammatory due to the Rheumatoid Disease (she was right as the onset of costochondritis followed shortly afterwards). So I feel quite confident that she will not treat me if it isn't indicated.
I Have used a chiropractor and an advanced remedial massage and soft tissue therapist level 5. She’s well qualified as well as an MSc sports science degree , Bases Accredited physiologist and an acupuncturist. Has helped me no end and I dont’knock’ acuputure any more either. My rheumatologist knew I was going and it been far better than going to local nhs physio. At least if it’s my shoulder playing up or my knee(usually is) she addresses my needs not what it says on the gp request slip as my pain always flits about depending on what I’ve done!
I've recently had accupuncture with a physio on my neck,had 4 sessions with massage and must say it took the pain away which was radiating up to my scalp. Been putting a hot wheatie bag on regularly also. So far pain not back x
Hi! I have used both. Each of us is unique with what works for managing pain and at that; you may have to cycle what works. What I mean, is our bodies become conditioned to what you are currently “trying.” And, of course, always research a new provider’s credentials. My bottom line on using a chiropractor is dubious and certainly requires understanding of his/her treatment approach. So, go to that initial, free appointment and have your questions ready. I have pinched nerves bilaterally in the cervical area. For me; I’ll do not want to have my head/neck “manipulated” by force, I prefer heat to warm up the area and I like traction. Read up!
As far as acupuncture is concerned and again check the credentials of the individual . There are some acupuncture treatments that require extra training , certification to use the specific placement of the needles. I want to yell out to everyone; that acupuncture does NOT hurt! Needles do not equate pain! I included acupuncture while living in Asia for many years. It was used as a complimentary addition to the usual western treatments or as a substitute for (RFA, epidurals and pain medication).. my acupuncturist was trained in using heat with the needles which can provide additional therapeutic results. I miss my acupuncture sessions now that I’m in the states. My health insurance covers both acupuncture and chiropractic treatments. If you are asking me to choose between the two; hands down, acupuncture! BUT, you must relax and “give into” it so you reap the full benefit of this ancient form of healing. If you are as fortunate as I was; my acupuncturist versed me on the energy spots, opening up areas to release the flow of energy. It’s an additional perk that enables you to be more in tuned with yourself. Hope this helped! The very best to you!
I really want to try acupuncture but a bit nervous thank you for sharing your experience. Now just have to see if I can get insurance to cover some of the cost. I do have a doctor referral already so hopefully that helps.
I use an Osteopath and yes it does work. I had trapped nerve in neck (had MRI) hospital said loss of movement in hand and arm is just tough not much we can do. So been using same chap for 30 years and over 3 months he did get the movement back and stop the pain. Find one registered with professional body or by recordation though.
I have an extraordinary chiropractor, she has studied medicine, yoga, and types of massage. She puts EMS and heat on my back for 15 minutes then does massage and gentle traction on my legs. It is the ONLY thing that works. I tried several other chiropractors before I found her and they did not know how to help me.
There is a Dr on you tube his name is Alan Madella, I saw something like that this morning, give it a try it might work. Please note the group know if it works.... All the bear.
Yes, I had electro acupuncture on my hands and it worked brilliantly both for pain and flexibility. Did not work so well on my shoulders.
I think you should try an osteopath, not a chiropractor. The osteopath can manipulate and stretch the muscles and it relieves pain and makes you more flexible. Both a chiropractor and an osteopath can order scans and x-rays.
I had some bad news recently from which I am still reeling. A friend's husband had acupuncture on his lower back which relieved it as did exercises from a physiotherapist.
However, he died suddenly and the primary cause was cancer in the lower spine. He had not known he had cancer. He had pain for three weeks which became excrutiating, and a blood test showed high calcium levels. It seems the cancer burst through the bone and released calcium from the bone into the blood stream, and this caused two heart attacks.
The point I am making is that acupuncture seems to relieve symptoms and pain very efficiently, but you need to get everything checked to ensure there is no sinister underlying cause. He assumed that, because the acupuncture relieved his pain, that it was a physical muscle/bone issue and never dreamt it could be cancer. You hear so many people complaining of back pain, and it is almost a foregone conclusion that they have arthritis, a slipped disc, pulled muscle etc.
I had very bad sciatica for 20 years and paid for an MRI scan but was told by my osteopath that the scan showed the most perfect scan she had ever seen, confirmed by the radiologist report. In fact, the pain (which was crippling) was caused by endometriosis which affects the lower back and sciatic nerve. You just never know. You have had an MRI but I wonder if a CT scan would show the bone up better. I don't think this friend had an MRI on his lower back but relied on the fact that the acupuncture relieved the pain so it could not be serious.
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