chiropractor and pmr

[43086]

I have been going to chiropractor which did seem to help at first, now i am hurting more after a session and i wonder if i should stop going . I am very sore for days after a visit . I am on 2 mg pred and started on 15 mg when first diagnosed.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Any manual techniques by either a physio or chiropractor are contra-indicated in PMR as it can aggravate the underlying inflammation. Gentle massage or heat treatment can, however, help.

[Megams in reply to Celtic]

Wow, I was not aware of this and have just answered an in-depth comment on how utterly dreadful I have felt today after a visit to the Chiropractor yesterday.

Can you please enlighten me a little more about this Celtic?

I so appreciate this forum in every way - thank you once more.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Megams]

Megams, if you feel as poorly as you do today following your session with the chiropractor yesterday, then her techniques have obviously been too powerful for the inflammation and therefore working against the steroids.

We had a physiotherapist at one of our support group meetings a couple of years ago and he stated very clearly that the usual manual techniques are not adviseable for those patients with PMR and on long term steroids. He did add that a gentle stretching and exercise programme could help with the secondary effects of limited function once the inflammation was under control.

When I first became ill and finding it difficult to walk, I sought the advice and treatment of a physio but after a few sessions I was no longer able to walk at all due to the pain. I was referred to a rheumatologist, attending appointments by ambulance and wheelchair but he failed to diagnose me. I am convinced that had I not attended those physio appointments I may not have landed myself bedbound for several months.

Fast-forward a few years, and a much more clued-up rheumatologist, I came across another physio at my local community centre who was experienced with the need for patients with PMR to be treated gently. I was in the final stages of steroid treatment (around 2mg) and experiencing some shoulder/arm muscle pain. He found several knots, and used very gentle massage, heat treatment and ultrasound, and just a few treatments proved successful.

Your chiropractor has now learnt that she may have overdone her techniques with you recently which has unfortunately caused you unnecessary problems.

As you have only recently been diagnosed with PMR, if you are someone who had raised blood test markers of inflammation at diagnosis, then perhaps it would be a good idea to get those tests repeated just to rule out any possible increasing inflammation. Flares can be quite common in the first 12-18 months of treatment.

I do hope you will soon recover from yesterday's treatment.

[Megams in reply to Celtic]

Thank you Celtic I really appreciated this explained in full - gives me greater understanding and have posted another question re depression and why this appears to be part of the PMR?????

I plan to ring and see if I can see my Rheumy Spec. before Easter as I am booked with him 9 April - hopefully I can get in on a cancellation: he and his staff most obliging which I am always immensely grateful for.

Haven't mentioned on this forum that my husband has moments of being unwell even though he would not admit to it. I am keeping close eye on him. He had TIA some years ago.

We had lots of grief last year (3 deaths) one being suicide - I firmly believe played big part in my PMR and my husband's slow decline in health.

Kind regards to you in the meantime.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Megams]

Megams, so many people who post on the PMR/GCA forums mention periods of severe stress leading up to their diagnosis. Although no-one has come up with a cause for theses diseases to date, stress does seem to be one of the common triggers. Certainly it is always recommended to avoid stress as much as possible whilst the illness runs its course. However, some stresses are impossible to avoid such as those you have recently experienced. Hopefully, as your hubby's TIA was some years ago, if he has avoided another or so long, then he will be fine. No doubt, he is on daily aspirin to help protect him.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I went to an osteopath on occasions but it was single sessions, not the repeat session over months so beloved by chiropractors. I'm sure it is to help their coffers not your condition! I used Bowen therapy in packs of 3 sessions and that worked better with PMR and never left me hurting.

[piglette]

I go to an osteopath who has several patients with PMR and also rheumatoid arthritis. Although she says she tries to be more gentle with me than her normal patients I do sometimes have aches and pains the following day or so. I think it is important that physios, osteopaths and chiropractors are aware of the problems of PMR, so it is worth checking out with them first.

[rockyandzeus]

HI

I have been seeing a chiropractor who is certified in ART (Active Release Therapy)

since before I was diagnosed with PMR. He saved my sanity and has been instrumental in keeping me working a 40 hr week, most of it on my feet.

During the time before diagnosis (18 months) when my GP would roll his eyes at my complaints, I would go to the chiro and he would pinpoint with unerring accuracy where exactly it hurt. ART seeks out trigger points and works them out.

I used to be able to enjoy 45-60 min massage therapy sessions, but no more. The last one was a 'gentle' and a scant 20 minutes that left me in agony for 3 days after.

So, it would seem that from person to person afflicted with this silly disease, there are a variety of therapies available: Bowen, Chiro, massage, accupuncture, ART, physio.

It is very important to let your practitioner know that you have PMR (and what that is!) and to go gently to find your personal tolerance level.

None of these therapies will 'cure' PMR, rather they will permit you to 'squeeze' the most out of your new reality. The most important thing is to keep on moving!

All the best to you,

Dorothy

[Megams]

This is interesting comment you make.

I have been seeing a Chiropractor who uses low force chiropractic approach called Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) which works on acupressure points only.

Most sceptical at first, but after 3 months I requested an assessment to see if she could demonstrate any changes using her surface EMG machine like she did at my first visit.

Again she used the surface EMG plus she photographed my postural stance once more.

Certainly an obvious and noticeable shift in posture which was remarkable. My breathing a lot better and obvious to me so I have continued with treatment.

My last two visits have left me feeling terrible, and yesterday had a session which I thought was fine until I awoke this morning - she has been working on my neck muscles and fragile C1-C3, lumbar region plus other acupressure areas in hip, skull, shoulder, stomach region.

Not happy with how dreadful I have felt today and cancelling my day with other appointments letting others down.

She is a certified up-to-date Dr in her profession so I do not doubt her professional ability. I find her sincere and most genuine with an eager desire to help in the healing process of her clients.

I am having weekly physio to massage my wasted leg muscles to enable me to walk in the water at my local aquatic centre for added strength. I am wondering if its time to stick with this only.

Anyway I emailed her this morning asking what could have happened to me?

She thinks she may have worked my areas too hard.

Absolutely no energy, low mood as if my brain was agitated from my days of migraines, jelly legs and arms and just unbelievable when in fact I have been doing so well and feel I've improved vastly in most areas since my diagnosis of PMR January 2015.

I am very positive, doing everything by the book to get myself well. I even felt great yesterday so I must view this as a temporary set back - we have a similar dilemma, don't we!!

Good luck with what you decide.

[Megams]

Thank you to all for your insightful stories - really helpful.

To extend this a little further in regard to my previous post re recent manual application by my regular Chiropractor massaging my acupressure points which rendered me terrible for days, can anyone explain to me why low mood (depression) seems very much part of PMR and why this happens?

I have been taking low dose 10mg Aropax sincere entering menopause ( 4 years now) which did help with hot flushes and low mood.

As of this week with my experience in feeling very low, fatigued and could have wept at the drop of a hat, after session with Chiropractor next day, I am wondering what the physiological nature going on within my brain to create this issue. As mentioned in my previous post, my brain felt irritated as if going into migraine like I regularly did pre and early post menopause - rare now fortunately.

Prior to my apptment with Chiropractor I was feeling so well, positive and doing well.

I am bit stronger today, have reluctantly upped my 10mg to 20mg Aropax. Need to gain my confidence once more to pick myself up again and move forward.

Appreciate you all and your stories and feedback.