Osteopathic treatment

[SarahJane926]

Has anyone had osteopathic treatment with RA? Is it safe? I'm experiencing lower back pain due to my changed walking thanks to a flare in my feet & someone suggested it, thanks.

[HappykindaGal]

Definitely! Lots of our clients are osteopaths and we regularly book appointments for people with RA. Also with podiatrists. Might be worth having a chat with one or two to see what their individual experience is

[springcross]

I agree with HappykindaGal about having a chat with one or two. They can be so beneficial depending on your circumstances. Good luck.

[helixhelix]

I would only use an osteopath who had quite a bit of experience of patients with RA. And I have some damaged discs in my neck and lower spine that I would want then to avoid....

In fact for my lower back damage I find my physio is wonderful. My pelvis tends to get out of alignment which she sorts, plus releasing tension in psoas and illiacus muscles. However I think hard to get proper hands on physio on the NHS now.

[Hidden]

Definitely worth it if you get the right one. Have you got orthotics? I have them due to ankle effecting my walk causing back pain they helped with other treatment.

[vonniesims in reply to Hidden]

Me too. Provided by NHS

[oldtimer]

I have had an excellent relationship with the osteopath I see. If she thinks it's inflammatory rather than mechanical, she will tell me (and sometimes not charge me for the appointment or just give me a gentle massage if that's safe. She sends me off to the rheumatologist and to the orthopaedic surgeon (twice) telling me that isn't her department and this is what I should do instead. I have also heard that she tells other people in the same way, so I have confidence that she doesn't exceed her expertise. I wish she would get a computer though! She still keeps all her records on little index cards...but never seems to forget what has happened to me in the past anyway.

[GlamNana]

I have had RA for nearly 50 years. I have back problems and had physio. I have also had my elbow replaced. It took longer to get back to normal(whateverthat is) but I took it slow

[StormySeas]

I’d say yes, but go carefully. In the beginning, before my R.A. was under control, I had a bad experience with a new osteopath, after years of successful treatment elsewhere.

Probably my fault as - unknown to me, my condition had changed - but I had a severe inflammatory reaction to her treatment that put me out of action for a month.

She gave a very fierce treatment to my lower back which I should have stopped. In your position, I’d certainly still try osteopathy, but this time I’d say that I have inflammatory arthritis, and to proceed with caution.

Sorry to give you a scare story. I’m not saying osteopathy is bad with RA, but just to go gently and see how you react before you have stronger manipulation.

[bienassis]

I would approach osteopathic treatment with caution. If the osteopath is any good she will not handle inflamed joints. She/he should check your condition before any treatment and make a note of your medical history.

My only experience with an osteopath - many years ago- was a good experience in that he wouldn't handle me at all; he was wary of inflammatory conditions and had had no specific training for those conditions.

Physiotherapists are also wary unless they have had the extra training needed. Bad handling can cause enormous damage.

Just be aware of the problem . No manipulation of swollen joints! Non-swollen joints - not yet affected might be OK, but take advice from your rheumatologist.

Good Luck

bienassis

[Wobbies]

I used to see an osteopath and it was he who directed me to the rheumatologist. He says with my diagnosis, he does not feel that he can offer me any beneficial treatment now.

[ashdieback]

I'm very interested to hear that others have benefited from osteopathy. When I was diagnosed with RA in 1980, I tried all manner of alternative therapies, not wanting to take the recommended steroids (in the light of current knowledge, a big mistake). I went to an osteopath, who gave me a massage which just served to inflame everything. As Stormy Seas suggests, proceed with caution!

[SarahJane926]

Thanks for the responses, it's a mixture so probably will contacts my rheumy & discuss, see what they advise