Can anyone advise me on the above please. I have had 3 weeks of muscle spasms in my back. Simply crippling. Dr said a physio would phone - she did 4 days ago and have heard nothing. Decided to go private so does anyone know which could be best for my problem. Getting me down now. Thanks.
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Personally I would go to a physio first - but that is because I have had wonderful non-NHS physios (and a couple of very good NHS ones amongst the awful ones) but a very unpleasant and expensive experience of a chiropractor whose primary aim was to see me once or twice a week for the foreseeable future and sell me very expensive supplements - a friend had gone 2x weekly for well over a year! She subsequently went to my Bowen practitioner who managed to sort out the problem with a few Bowen sessions! Hence my scepticism when it comes to chiropractors. I also had an osteopath - relatively cheap and cheerful and she certainly knew her trade and helped a lot.
Thanks for that info. I will look for a physio in my area to see if I can get some treatment. Nice to know someone who's had the treatment. I'm never sure if all this just aggravates the pmr but you sounded satisfied. Do you think the physios know a little about the PMR problems. I would think they have to in their job.
Ask the question before you book!
In the UK NHS physios do seem a bit clueless about PMR - but they also tend to rely on handing out exercises to save time. My physios here do a lot of hands-on manual work and massage - 45 minute sessions. They are all totally au fait with PMR and myofascial pain syndrome as well as the problems involved with exercise when you have PMR.
However - in the UK, private physios have a lot more time and do seem to be more aware of the problems associated with PMR. In my experience one who is "in" to sports physiotherapy can be very good. The Leeds rheumy group appear to have a very good set-up with their physio department and they use techniques I'm familiar with here. Trouble is, they also say they have neither staff nor time to do the ideal approach.
Norflex is great for back muscle spasms. My doctor prescribed this med for me, as I have had two laminectomy. The Norflex helps. Get well soon.
Physio definitely. I know some people swear by their chiropractor. But I've also noted that they have to keep going back to the chiropractor for the same issue time after time. A physiotherapist should be able to send you off with exercises and new habits which will encourage a more permanent solution. I also remember from very long ago my physician father saying more than once how a patient with back trouble would seek help from chiro, and then return to him much worse off than before. With what we have to acknowledge is increased fragility of our bodies caused by both PMR and pred, choose the less likely to damage you option!
I must admit I go to an osteopath, but only because she is outstandingly good in my opinion.
Thank you all for your comments. Advice taken. Nothing from the NHS physio so I got on to a local physio but the earliest she can fit me in is the 21st so I must wait. They are so busy I know.She did say that if the NHS do get in touch just let her know and she will cancel. She knew all about. Pmr and did say maybe I could try going a bit higher with the steroids but In the meantime hot water bottle on the back - try and get some sleep and a couple of exercises to do. I was quite impressed.
Sounds like a promising start.
I’m a big fan of physios who have helped me out with various issues over the years.
However I have to give a big shout out to the chiropractor who actually diagnosed my PMR within minutes of me seeing him after not getting anywhere with my GP. He stopped the examination (having fitted me in for an urgent appointment in his lunch hour), told me he thought I had PMR (which I hadn’t even heard of), wrote me a letter to give to the GP asking him to do the various blood tests etc and only charged me half the usual rate for the appointment. He told me I’d feel ok quickly with steroids that my GP would give me if his diagnosis was correct. It was correct and I’m eternally grateful to him. I’ve never been back. He’d been recommended to me by someone I knew. Not all chiropractors are trying to make lots of money out of you.
I think recommendations are important. I went to a wonderful craniosacral therapist where I used to live when I had trigeminal neuralgia. She’d been recommended to me and she sorted it out when weeks of drugs hadn’t and had caused horrendous side effects in addition to the excruciating pain. Years later I went to another craniosacral therapist where I now live. It was an awful experience.
Not all craniosacral therapists are the same, not all chiropractors are the same and not all physios are the same.
I think my worst experience was after a badly broken leg with knee damage. The woman I saw basically just told me to walk - after 3 months in a full leg plaster. Then the trainee put me on a bike - I thought I was dying! Certainly put me off going back so they achieved that end! That was Dundee although I did get one superb one at Ninewells. Years later after we moved to Durham and I saw two superb ones who were horrified I'd had no rehab and they gave me a bit of help improving the knee but we all knew it was too late for a good job.
Yikes! That's bad. I always feel the NHS could save so much money if they could get people to see (good) physios quickly and didn't let so many injuries end up as chronic problems.
I should perhaps have said that the good craniosacral therapist I saw had been a senior physio in a large Scottish hospital before she moved on to cranisacral therapy...
I'd had physio on the second or third day post op in the hospital here - I did it while skiing. No stookie here so physio could start immediately. First thing they did at DRI - stookie. Weighed a ton, it was 2-part with a hinge at the knee but no physio. No anticoagulant - "you're mobile". I told the GP that if I got a DVT I'd sue him! And subsequently, research showed it was tanatamount to medical negligence to not give heparin after such an op. First question they asked at DRI was "can you lift your foot?" - and then told me that damage to the nerve was "always" a problem with this injury. Was tempted to suggest they sent someone here to learn better technique 
Of course, that was pre-routine use of MRI pre-op in the UK. The surgeon refused to touch me until he'd seen the MRI, done immediately before surgery.
Very interesting feedback from your post. I’ve been going to chiropractorintermittently for a few years - and it’s never been a true resolution of the problems in the areas where there has been pain. A good physio is what I need, especially at the moment as back is playing up.
I had a back massage today from a beauty therapist and £20 less in charge has done a better job than the chiropractor in one session! I’ve had acupuncture too at times which I’ve also found very good. Opinions may vary though on my findings. Good luck in your quest for a good therapist who will help you manage your pain. 😊x
Thanks again to last three comments. It's true isn't it. There's good and bad and we have to find one who suits our needs. I hope I get some relief WHEN I finally get something done. I'm not a wimp where pain is concerned but when your a carer for a partner you just have to get on with it dont you. I know covid is a lot to blame but sInce being diagnosed in November I can't believe all this has been done over the telephone. I have never seen a Dr in all that time. I know there are people much worse than me so how do they get on. I think everyone is just going to A and E just to see a Dr. Not fair on those nhs workers at the hospital. Sorry go on but I do feel so strongly about it while this everlasting pain goes on. Hope I wake up better tomorrow after my 4 hours sleep. (DUE TO STEROIDS). There I've said enough but I feel better for it. Thanks to everyone for replies.
I too was diagnosed with PMR in November, over the phone, and have never seen a GP. I have been reduced monthly from 30mg , (5mg monthly down to 10mg), then told by an unknown doctor to reduce to 5mg which I'd been told by a long term steroid user was too much so was reduced to 7.5mg, then 5, 4 and now 3mg for last five days. Am in absolute agony with back pain which I've been told in the past is nerve damage from shingles. I've had no problem with this all the time on steroids until this last reduction. I'm worried that I'm reducing the steroids too quickly and I am my husband's carer so can't afford to be ill.
Hi Mama, the 1mg drop is too much on those doses as it exceeds the 10% rule. Go back 1mg until symptoms settle then try 1/2mg drop next reduction. You might need to stay a little longer on each reduction too. It works better for me. I too am a full time carer so understand your predicament very well. Best wishes.
We sound as if we are going through the same so I know how you feel with me being a carer also. I only started on 20 mgs but you seem to have come down so quickly. I know the Dr's want to get you off steroids ASAP but that is quick. I am taking all the advice from this forum as its so informative and seem to work much better for me. I have had shingles in the past and was wondering if my muscle spasms are a trapped nerve as this has been 3 weeks now. I do hope you can get sorted but I would say listen to the forum for which I thank them so much. Good luck.
Thanks for your reply, I will take advice from this forum. I had thought I might be reducing too quickly but being new to this problem I followed Dr's advice. I have my first face-to-face appointment with my doctor on 7th June, hopefully will get more information then. Many thanks, take care.
So pleased you have a face to face with your Dr. I'll be glad when I can. Good luck and I hope the Dr listens to you.
My preference is for physio. Went to Chiropractor for a few appointments a few years ago and didn’t think he actually did anything.
Thanks. I'll stick to. Physio after so many prefer them.
perhaps read 'about this book' in this link before wasting money on a chiropractor.springer.com/gp/book/978303...
The author was Prof of Complementary Medicine at the University of Exeter and is an outstanding scientist.
The outstanding orthopod I saw when I lived in Germany had trained in medicine and orthopaedics at a medical school where the head of orthopaedics made his students study chiropractic on the grounds it made them a more complete specialist. He used techniques that really did help - but never flogged supplements. Like everything - good and bad. It;s their insistence on long term expensive treatments that I object to, they often don't look to sorting out the cause. For obvious reasons! Bowen, on the other hand, admits that if you don't feel a difference in 3 sessions it probably won't ever do anything for this problem.
I'm a believer like that. If it doesn't work to a degree on anything after 3 sessions it probable never will. Thanks
I used Bowen a lot more than that - but even a single session improved the situation! It's a mechanical problem and no-one is going to straighten it out so the muscle problem returns every so often. But that is a different matter to it not being effective. I find the same with the physio treatments too - what I really need is a single appointment per month on a permanent basis 
Just to tweak thing in the right direction so they never get too bad!
I have used both over the years. Some useless physios but I have not met a useless chiropractor yet. I have an excellent physio who practises, manipulation & needling as well as massage. Though time restraints mean she can’t always do as much as she’d like. On the other hand yesterday I revisited my chiropractor after a year & she did all of the above & more! It’s finding someone who is good at their job that’s the nugget of it. Chiropractors have very very rigorous training. 5 years training is not for nothing. Years ago I went to an excellent osteopath who used acupuncture but I felt he didn’t manipulate enough. I spoke to a friend yesterday who had a hip replacement in April & she has had phone consultations twice with a physio, she’s very upset about it as she feels she’s not progressing as she should. Desperate to “see” someone.
I had a letter from the NHS physio yesterday after a week and now they are giving me another telephone consultation on Wednesday at 10 45. Bit of a joke really. These muscle spasms have gone on for three weeks and promise of physio for nearly two weeks. All done on telephone with no hands on. Just exercises. Do they realise I can't even put my foot to the floor or pick a kettle up without severe pain. I just cant wait for a private session on Friday. I'm really fed up with moaning so I'm trying to forget things now but its hard. Good job we have this forum.
Chiropractor / osteopath 
chiropractor and pmr
NHS Physio appointment
Latest visit to my physio.
