Chiropractor and a flare?

[Zhenya]

Hello everyone

I have just been very interested to read today’s posts about Bowen therapy and other ‘alternative’ practitioners. I have had shoulder and back pain for over a month (an old complaint I don’t think is connected to my 4.5-year-old PMR), so in desperation 3 weeks ago I went to a chiropractor, never having been to one before. I had 3 sessions, the second one of which included acupuncture. Since the last session a week ago the original shoulder and neck pain has developed into pain right across my shoulders and into the back of my head causing me to have a permanent headache. Then, a few days ago, I noticed the old familiar PMR symptoms in my upper arms and thighs.

My gut feeling is that the massage etc has caused a flare, so for the past 2 days I have upped my dose of of pred from 4.5mg to 10mg. The PMR symptoms seem to have subsided but the shoulder and headache problems are still there.

Does the team think all this could have been caused by a chiropractor and how should I now manage my dose of pred? Should I go back to 4.5mg or taper slowly back down and if so, by much per week/day?

Thank you in advance for your help. Apart from helping me in this instance, I feel a discussion on the subject of alternative practitioners may very well help others on this forum make an informed decision re whether to try them or not.

[Hidden]

Hi Zhenga

The problem is our muscles are very intolerant of almost any form massage or manipulation of our joints.

Many’s a time l have longed for a very gentle massage or just gentle rubbing/stroking of the muscles.

My Physio Pre & Post Op of a Shoulder Surgery impacted on me greatly & l believe was the cause of my PMR.

Re the tapering of your Pred you could take a couple more days on 10mg until you settle before reducing. Do you have a Rheumatologist/Team or is GP managing you?

Possibly you were too low on 4.5mg & that was why you have the shoulder pain.

If you have a Rheumatology Team you can ring them tomorrow for advice otherwise book an appointment with your GP

Normally you can taper quickly after a short sharp increase but my concern is your PMR was already playing you up before you had the Treatment by the Chiropractor so maybe a more gentle taper down maybe wiser until you reach the lowest dose that keeps your symptoms under control.

Yes, l think a discussion on various additional therapies would be good idea, would you like to open the thread on a New Post? If not l can do it on your behalf.

Kind Regards

MrsN

[Zhenya in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mrs Nails for your wise words.

Yes please open up a thread if you think this one may not suffice on the subject?

Yours

Zhenya

[Hidden in reply to Zhenya]

I’ll open a New Post & credit you 😉 as it’s a good topic

Thank You

[Zhenya in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Much appreciated 🤗

[Twistandshout]

Don’t know much about pmr but I had a frozen shoulder for two years in agony tried everything then tried Bowen it cleared my frozen shoulder in 8 weeks. Don’t know if coincidence or not but still have Bowen for aches and pains and it seems to work

[Purplecrow]

Zhenya, I was getting chinese massage (guasha), with fine results, until my practitioner worked on my shoulders. The vigorous treatment caused a flare which has only just begun to recede. She was horrified when i told her what has happened, and henceforth, we have used only acupuncture.

Good luck

[Zhenya in reply to Purplecrow]

Thank you Purplecrow

I think we should be very cautious with these practitioners. My GP has prescribed 10mg pred for 3 weeks to get rid of my flare, which she is pretty sure it is. It’s such a pity when we try so hard to reduce our dose then something like this knocks us for six.

[Hidden]

When I first had symptoms of PMR at the ate of 46, I thought it was a bad neck. I religiously attended the chiropractor as he would adjust my neck and back. I went 3 days/week for at least a month. Then 2 days/week for another month, then 1 day/week for another month. I was improving fairly drastically each month. Looking back, I think it was PMR and didn't know it. Rheumy thought it was Lupus. So I went on a very good diet and listened to my body. After 6 months, I was in remission. Now at 52, IT's baacccckkkkk...... at full strength. After about 6 weeks of attending chiropractor, with some improvement, I was properly diagnosed with PMR, put on prednizone and have not been back to the chiropractor since.

Just about a week before prednisone, after a trip to the chiropractor, I was suffering terribly bad. I doubled up on Ibuprofen. This particular time i went to the chiropractor, it made me much worse. It was so painful, it brought tears to my eyes. I have no doubt that chiropractor caused it to be worse. I have not been back yet. However, I intend to go once i get a little better.