I went to a chiropractor who I feel made my symptoms much worse throughout my back. I feel pain every single day in areas I did not feel pain in before seeing her, although it was still awful and that’s why I went in the first place. Now it is genuinely debilitating. Been 2 weeks since my last appointment with her, I stopped going. But it’s just getting worse
Has anyone tried an Osteopath instead?
Did you go to a chiropractor because of a specific diagnosis? As a retired orthopaedics Sister I am always wary of people going to osteopaths and chiropractors until they’ve had a diagnosis of their symptoms by either rheumatology or orthopaedics. Both professions have very good practitioners but there are some who make things worse because they don’t know the reason for the treatment. You can sometimes be very much worse off if you have undiagnosed spinal problems and are treated by a chiropractor who performs the wrong moves on your back. I don’t mean to malign anyone but I’d be very careful if you have problems to get the necessary diagnosis first. Having said that, with the waiting times these days for NHS services you may be between a rock and a hard place……! Good luck and hope things settle down.
I didn't have a diagnoses and still don't - I just heard it was good and helped so many people so I went for it. I didn't even thnk I had a serious condition back then. If I'd know about all of this, I'd have never gone. After the first session I thought it helped but now seems worse than ever, really wish I hadn't gone.
I agree with Amnesiac I'm afraid Amy. Hold off seeing any ‘practitioners' until you know what you're dealing with. If you are diagnosed your Rheumy can discuss non-medical options with you. It could be physiotherapy would be of more help, but it's something only he/she will be able to advise on. Some things do more harm than good, as you've found with the chiropractor & the massage gun. I doubt anyone here will recommend anything until you're diagnosed.
Sorry if this seems negative, I just don’t want you to do more harm than good trying anything to help yourself not really sure of what's what re manipulation until your appointment. I know why you're tempted to do it & it sucks but it's not worth the extra problems they could potentially cause you. See how the amitriptyline goes, I truly hope you have as good results as many of us here. You could also try warm relaxing baths in Epsom salts, they can really ease tense muscles & your joints. I find heated electric pads help too. I have various heated things… one for my feet, a heated cushion (lovely to cuddle) & have my heated cape on as I type!
Did you get referred to the chiropractor by a doctor having diagnosed a problem?It’s usually not a good idea to just go to see chiropractor or an osteopath without knowing clinically what the problem is they are trying to correct.
Ask your GP what treatment he/she advises….maybe get some X-rays, then see what is advised….hopefully that will get you some relief.
no referral to the chiropractor, I just went myself thinking it would help. Didn’t even think about the possibility of any illness but it’s got much worse since going. Getting referred for an X-ray is such a drag and hard to get done too with my GP - she practically told me she doesn’t know what she can do except refer
So to whom is your GP intending to refer you? You need a diagnosis to know who to be referred to.
You say you have got much worse since seeing the chiropractor…maybe she did tweak something…tell your GP what happened at the chiro appointment ….that could solve your problem…but those tweaks from a chiro can take a few weeks to settle.
However, I’m afraid if it’s drag or not- you have to join the rest of us in the queue - Unless you want to spend a lot of money going to a private consultant who could refer you to get private Xrays ……to see if they might help move things along.Then you would have to pay to go back to get the results. Not really ideal is it?
Your best decision really is to speak to your GP, & explain exactly why you feel you need referring….…write down all your symptoms….that often helps - rather than trying to verbally describe how you feel in a quick GP appointment. But fess up about the chiro visit…or your GP is working in the dark.
I personally avoid chiropracters as they absoluteky don’t suit me. Instead I have a wonderful physio who is cross-trained osteopath but generall sticks to pysio with me.
Like others tho’ I think you need to avoid everything but soft tissue massage until you know what’ going’s on.
yeah the worse thing I did was go to the chiropractor! I didn’t even think of the possibility that it would make things worse as I’d only heard all good stories! I’ve got my first physio appontment on 28th so I hope they put me through a good type of treatment plan, I have no idea what it will involve though tbh, I’ve already been doing exercises so I hope it’s not just that. and I pray my physiotherapist is actually good. But my luck has always been awful in that department 😭😂
A bit mean to show you this now, but chiropractors are not recommened by American College of Rheumatologists
I have used an osteopath and have been improved by themI have secer lower spinal degeneration.
I always think chiropractic seems more aggressive.
I know a good osteopath in Worcester my neighbouring county
I agree with others, osteopaths are gentler and in some ways better trained than chiropractors. in fact in some places you can get osteopaths on the NHS now. Osteopaths are Allied Health Care Professionals, chiropractors are not.
Off the Methotrexate 😊
Self-pity awakening when I think of my 5 year old niece.
Methotrexate - first week
Update from today’s rheumatology appointment 
Is there anything else that can help RA other than drugs?
