Chiropractor?

[jstickrod]

I am dealing with a significant tear in my right hip muscle. Nothing seems to be helping the pain, even after 3 months of physical therapy. Now my back is really hurting due to my limping. I have MBC in my bones, liver, and lungs. Has anyone visited a chiropractor while having MBC? Is there a danger in chiropractic treatment, especially if the cancer is in your bones? Not sure how I should proceed to help the pain.....I am currently on a low dose pain reliever.

[Hidden]

Can't you ask your onco to help you with the pain? You should not have to deal with trying to control the pain. Mine recently spread to my spine with some holes. I have been having extreme lower back pain for about two months now that is getting worse and worse. I cannot even walk 1/2 block without being in tears and having to find something to lean on, a wall, a fire hydrant, light post. It is getting to the point that I can no longer even walk one block without pain.

I told my onco that this pain is more than I can handle. I first asked her if I should try a chiropractor (which I never went to before) and she immediately said NO.

So she made an appt. with me for a pain management doctor at the cancer center on Tuesday. I seriously have no quality of life bc I don't drive and I dont have stores close by and no family or friends that even live remotely close so not being able to walk without my back giving out basically has made me a hermit inside my apt. The 800 mgs. of ibuprofen that I had previously been given for my tumor pain stopped working months ago.

But you should be able to get some kind of assistance or referral from your onco. All I know is she told me NOT to go to a chiropractor. Maybe it is time for them to up your pain meds a bit, especially if you did the physical therapy and it made no difference. No reason we should need to suffer with pain.

[mariootsi]

I might consider acupuncture rather than chiropractic.

You could also try pain meds?

[13plus]

I personally wouldn’t look for medication to solve the problem. Which muscle in your hip is torn? (And Do you know for sure that is the problem?)

Acupuncture might help your hip better then PT.

If you can find a chiro that practices this technique, Torque Release Technique™, then that may be an option. It is very gentle, no twisting manipulation. Make sure to tell them you have bone mets though.

Hoping you find some relief soon.

[jstickrod in reply to 13plus]

Yes, I had an MRI, and it was determined the muscle tear is in the gluteus minimas, which runs along my right hip area. Doctors have said "patience" is the key to recovery, but I am beyond patience now. I only take a 1/2 dose of Tramadol 2 times a day. Visiting an orthopedic guy tomorrow in sports medicine. Hope they give me some answers. Of course, my mind always goes to the "cancer" causing the pain......

[13plus in reply to jstickrod]

Argh, that would be painful and take a while to heal I’m guessing. I’m glad you’re seeing a sports med doctor. Sophie’s point about possible radiating pain from the spine is a good possible explanation too.

Best of luck with the appointment! Hope it brings some answers and less pain.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Have you been diagnosed with a tear in your hip, or is that what you suspect is wrong? The reason I ask is because if you are not sure the pain may be radiating from your back, rather than from your hip. When I was first diagnosed, I thought my hip was bothering me. But it was actually nerve pain that originated in my spine, where I have two spots. I had radiotherapy which dealt with the pain. I would talk to your oncologist to find out exactly what is going on and then see what treatment options are available to you. Your oncologist will be able to let you know if it is a good idea to see a chiropractor or not.

I hope you can soon get some relief from the pain you are experiencing.

Sophie

[jstickrod in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I was diagnosed with an MRI that there is a tear in my gluteus minimas in my right hip.

[Hidden in reply to jstickrod]

Ah, OK. I hope you manage to get some answers soon about the best course of action.

[Hidden]

I have avoided a chiropractor as I’m scared a bone would break as they are already weakened by the cancer. Ask your oncologist or chiropractor, they should know for sure.

[Red71]

I would avoid a chiropractor and talk to your oncologist about the cause of the pain. If pain meds are the only thing that can help, then they should give you pain meds that actually help. You shouldn’t have to live with pain,

Elaine

[Baseface]

I’d be wary. Chiropratic is thought of as a pseudo science in some quarters. They can do more damage than good and I’ve seen it first hand.

A Chiro continued cracking my wife’s spine with no improvement over months based on minimal medical info. Eventually diagnosed with extensive mets to T and C spine. Had they continued they could have paralysed her.

Please go to a physical therapist through you oncology centre.

[13plus in reply to Baseface]

It’s not pseudo science. I teach physical movement and worked with a chiro too. It definitely helps some people where other modalities can fail. . It all depends on the chiro. Unfortunately some are not so good. That’s why I advised searching for one that uses a specific technique (see my comment above) that doesn’t “crack” the bones like the older forms of chiro.

It’s good she is seeing a sports med doctor now though.

[jstickrod]

Thank you for all your responses regarding chiropractic care. I did see a sports medicine clinic, orthopedic doctor, on Tuesday. He finally diagnosed my condition as inflammation of the bursa surrounding the leg/hip bone connection. He gave me a shot of cortisone into the bursa lining, and I can't believe the difference! I am no longer limping, have little pain now in that whole area, and am off my pain meds! I just wish I would have done this a couple months ago! This condition is common, but he feels my situation is amplified because of my chemo meds. Very thankful for some answers, and relief from the pain!

[AlexB88]

The best option, in this case, is pain medicine because it's less invasive and works better than other methods. Most people would go to a chiropractor but this always has to be discussed with the doctor. A shot of cortisone can do miracles sometimes, however, it doesn't work for all the people, but still for the majority. I'm glad you found a solution to your problem and now you are better. I don't have this condition, but one of my close friends has it and he goes to a chiropractor from teamalliedpw.com/. I don't know too much, but he says it helps him.