Chiropractor?

[Darcy2000]

I am dealing with PMR and things are going pretty well ....on 15 mgs with a tapering agenda and pain and stiffness mostly controlled . Before the onset of this I saw a chiropractor maybe once a year for some fine tuning .I seem to have a bit of Sciatica especially when driving and the Pred does not help it was wondering if it would be contraindication to see my chiropractor For an adjustment .Just wouldn’t want to set back the PMR which seems to be coming along quite well

[Hidden]

You could always enquire with your Chiropractor if it can help before you made an appointment to see them.

But my instinct is No, No, No! I don’t have any foundation for this but someone with experience may come along with some advice or experience......

[Darcy2000 in reply to Hidden]

Chiropractors think they can heal almost everything..that is the downside of asking ahead

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Darcy2000]

My primary objection is the rubbish they try to sell you as well!!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I used an osteopath when I was in the north of England (had had bad experiences with a local chiropractor, just wanted money!). But my osteopath and my Bowen therapist kept me upright and mobile for 5 years with unmanaged PMR. Wish they were here!!

You have to try to know if it works for you - make sure they go very gently.

[Darcy2000 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks will

Look into that

[jinasc in reply to Darcy2000]

Echo Bowen, I used the same lady as PMRpor and she got me out of a wheelchair and able to dump zimmer frame as well.

Beginning of this year leg problem, hospital x-rays etc, finally decided it was Sciatica.

So this time Acupuncturist...........relief as it turned out it was Pirisformis syndrome.

Pain gone 6 treatments.

[Christophene47 in reply to jinasc]

Great! Do you have a good explanation of how acupuncture works when it does? I understand yin and yang, but other than that, it's a wonder to me.

[jinasc in reply to Christophene47]

Nope, I do not understand and I also had cupping which I had never heard of either, however I do not understand our medical stuff either.

However, cupping, it turns out is older that acupuncture...............

The one thing I do know, is it does no harm. Except for a tiny needle which you don't even feel going in.

Bowen, I sort of think that what they do is white magic - the more rational thought is that inflammation collects into little balls called cykotines (spelling) and somehow they break them up and you flush them, out with loads of water.

Now I am not saying it will all work for everybody....................

[Blearyeyed in reply to jinasc]

Unfortunately , Acupuncture is not and miss with chronic health though , if you have a number of illnesses going on ( diagnosed or not yet confirmed ) of an autoinflammatory or autoimmune type , that little needle can cause a severe pathergy reaction , and within minutes burning pain in the needle site which reacts for upto 72 hours after.

It's one of the therapies, that over any of the others , chronic pain support for all types of conditions suggest a taster session on and not doing more than a half session even after building sessions up .

[Christophene47 in reply to Darcy2000]

I would discuss it with GP or rheumatologist first; that is if you have confidence in either of them. My accountant fell down his stairs at home (as did I a few months ago), and it cured his sciatica so he says.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Christophene47]

I remember toppling over when skiing many years ago, I rolled over on my back (I was young and lissom then) and heard crack, crack, crack as my spine curled. Got up and some back pain I'd had had gone!!!

[Hidden]

I can cope with a deep tissue massage which is more than many can but the thought of people cracking me has always made me cringe a bit. 🌻

[Constance13 in reply to Hidden]

When I go to the masseur (spelling???) I ask her to gently stroke me all over!!! Wonder what she thinks?😂😂😂

[Hidden in reply to Constance13]

😂😂😂

[Christophene47]

I have mixed feelings about chiropractors; some are ethical and are honest about what they can and can't accomplish; others not so much. I would always prefer a massage. But these are different techniques with different goals.

[Purplecrow]

My response to using a chiropractor as part of PMR treatment is resounding Yes!

I have seen the same chiropractor for last 10 years. In the beginning, he knew more about PMR than either my first rheumy or my g.p.

So, to address your concern, I would say yes, the chiro can contribute to your comfort thru gentle treatments. Of course, it is practical to discuss your pain levels with the provider, but i have no-more fear of my chiropractic treatments than I have of acupuncture, chinese massage, and even Bowen therapy.

I recently saw an orthopedic surgeon, pain specialist, for spinal stenosis, and he said his Chiropractor had treated and cured his Sacro-illiac joint inflammation.

So even the scientifically -oriented western medical professional have begun to recognize the efficacy of chiropractic and acupuncture treatments.

On this forum, many opinions are represented when you ask a question, ...your job is to sift through them, and decide for yourself, based on your experience and needs, what auxiliary treatments you want to try.

I support chiro, acupuncture, bowen and massage, all have played a role in my 6 year journey with PMR.

Kind regards, Jerri

PMR diagnosed 2013

[Hidden]

I continue to use chiropractic care every month. It helps with my pre pmr pinched nerve that travels from neck and causes pain to fingers. This pain is different from the pmr pain. If pinched nerve is worse due to poor posture or my three hour daily commute, then I will go two times a week. Nothing but good results from my old fashioned chiropractor

[Thelmarina]

It was my chiropractor who diagnosed PMR as I didn’t respond to treatment as expected. I’m eternally grateful to her. However, based on that experience I would use her services for other specific issues but not for PMR. (Currently into Wimbledon for that 😀)

[painteratheart]

My daughter is an acupuncturist and I have learned from her she does a thorough intake of new clients to determine their reasons for treatment before she can try. Said must have root of problem which may seem completely different than patient would think. Has to do with meridians that run thru body. Ironically one of her patients is a chiropractor who constantly refers his patients to her.

[Manchild in reply to painteratheart]

The theory of Meridians is total BS, as is acupuncture in general. Pretty sure ( and many studies agree) that if there is any pain relief it is due to plecebo effect, which may or may not last.

I did try it for some neck pain and the process was totally rediculous. It was somewhat relaxing, though, with soft music, heat lamp, etc.

All that being said, if it works for you, go for it!

[painteratheart in reply to Manchild]

I respectfully disagree, but you are entitled to your view. Almost seems there's more going on than being against acupuncture. Good luck

[Manchild in reply to painteratheart]

The reason that I am against it is because it is a fraud, and much money is spent on it.

Please do some research into how the idea of Meridians came to be, and the countless studies that show it is of no benefit. In one study, SHAM acupuncture was more effective than the real thing!

[Hidden in reply to Manchild]

Placebos as treatments are used in general practice too. The NHS report drs had used one. So even if you pay and it is just a placebo effect it works and helps. Isn't that the important thing...as long as no real harms is done? Personally I had accupuncture when I had herniated discs. The first 4 sessions finally got me on my feet. The 5th one was excruciating and I was glad the surgery was coming up.

nhs.uk/news/medical-practic...

[Manchild in reply to Hidden]

I do agree that the plecebo effect is real, and can sometimes ease suffering.

However, that was not my point. I believe in real science, and after many exhaustive studies, it is not shown to be effective.

[Hidden in reply to Manchild]

Sometimes in science it takes a paradigmatic shift to embrace a different way of thinking. From humours, to ether, to germs, to atoms , to DNA etc. From the corporeal to the ontological, the epistemological and methodological... knowledge is shaped by social and crural factors. Canonical thinking can leave us believing in absolute truth rather than relative truths. I don't necessarily "believe" in certain ideologies or woo woo things but know that what constitutes science changes over time. We just haven't found an appropriate way to test it yet perhaps. Anyway far too early in the morning for this.

[Manchild in reply to Hidden]

Nice post and great vocabulary.

Traditional Chinese Medicine was disparaged by Mao, who was in favor of western medicine, because it works!

[Hidden in reply to Manchild]

I never said anything about agreeing with Chinese medicine or any other form of what is seen as alternative medicine. I do think western medicine can be complemented. Try and take my pred off me and see what I do. 🤣🤣🤣

[painteratheart in reply to Manchild]

I think your signature says it all..

[Manchild in reply to painteratheart]

Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment!

[painteratheart in reply to Manchild]

Since you advise my doing more research, perhaps you should watch the documentary "9000 needles". Good example of why the practice has been around for thousands of years

[Manchild in reply to painteratheart]

Ok, I’ve got some Rhino horn you can have cheap!

[HeronNS]

I know lots of people use chiropractors. However I never never would. My father was a GP and I remember him saying not infrequently how he had to treat a patient whose bad back or whatever had become much worse after visiting the chiropractor. My uncle had to retire early from his dentistry practice after seeing a chiropractor regarding his chronic neck problems and becoming so much worse he could no longer work.

[Blearyeyed in reply to HeronNS]

The trouble isn't always with the practice of Chiropractics, but often , like with a good GP or Dentist , finding a good one .

I would love to try a good , recommended one , but unfortunately , just after receiving recommendations a few months back for one , he is now no longer available , as he was arrested for killing someone with a crossbow, I assume that wasn't part of the Man's treatment going awry !!

The problem with Chiropractics isn't just finding one that is good with their area of health , but even more like with many therapies taken by people with Chronic conditions you cannot be sure , especially if you have an underlying health issue that hasn't been diagnosed yet , the treatment itself although good fir what it's for and cause a serious reaction somewhere else .

Pretty much like Conventional Medicines prescribed and causing side effects before your GP knows they don't fit your illness , or Acupuncture and other therapies causing allergy and pathergy reactions , they all need you to want to dare to try the treatment in the hope you will improve rather than react the other way.

[artfingers]

I tried various chiropractors before I found my current one. He is able to prevent my migraines which I had regularly until I got adjusted regularly. I also get a massage during the same visit, which has helped my PMR pains. The adjustments don't touch the PMR pain though - just the pain that came from landing on top of my head a few times when falling from my horse and the migraines. I ignore the other stuff he tries to sell.