littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
And I mean in do they think we are crazy too? My friend goes to a really nice Chiropractor and has a certificate for $20 for the first appt.
She said he has been really helping her husband and her and he talked about all the stuff that it helps with, like different conditions and diseases and she wondered if I would be interested in the certificate.
I know some patients go to a Chiropractor, do you tell them you have Lyme or just really bad pain...everywhere lol. And is there anything I should know before I let this guy work on me?
posted
Mine knows very little about it. They are not part of mainstream medicine and often get ridiculed themselves, so I think it would likely be a "safe" place where you're accepted, but he may or may not understand.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I went to chiropractors for 25 years, ever since I started getting the neck and back symptoms. No one knew I had Lyme. They all treat differently - there's many different chiropractic techniques. We need to find out whether we do best with light, medium or heavy adjustments.
When I found out I had Lyme, it was a revelation, since none of the chiropractors knew about it. I also checked in with former ones and they didn't know either.
The Chiropractic Wellness Magazine refused to do an article about fibromyalgia being Lyme disease, when I called them to say that fibromyalgia was not a condition with unknown cause, like they were saying in their article.
I half wonder whether they don't want people to know what's really going on, in order to keep patients going and going.
However, even though I know now, I am still a chiropractic patient, so I don't think they should be worrying about losing us; better to get us figured out and treating for what we do have.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
I've been to chiropractors for years.. I've given up on them helping me with anything. My spine just goes right out of adjustment probably by the next day. Just doesn't last.
My last chiro said "OH, I had a big bullseye rash a few years ago. I got an adjustment and I'm fine now."
(just wait a few years)
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I've been to a few DCs who were fabulous. One diagnosed the kind of seizures I was having when even the "best" neurologists in this university hospital city just scoffed. But, others caused me damage. It's all a matter of their method.
He also was not afraid of my having lyme, knew a bit about it, and never put me down.
That DC told me, after months of treatment, that until I got the lyme addressed, he didn't think my body could hold an alignment.
� Find out if the DC does gentle manipulations. Upledger or Nucca are good.
Be sure they first take an image (X-ray, etc.).
Don't expect a miracle but, yes, it could help IF NO SUDDEN TWISTS ARE DONE.
It is vital to see only chiropractors (DOs or NDs) who are lyme literate - because so many do sudden twists of the neck and that can be VERY dangerous for a lyme patient.
LL DC, or LL DOs or LL NDs know this. There are gentle techniques such as Upledger that are best for lyme patients.
They also know that, often, no matter how much work you do on the neck that the toxic byproducts of lyme can turn the shoulder tissue into concrete and cause adjustments to loose their alignment. A LL doctor would know how to address this from all points.
Now, that specific DC and the $20 first appointment could still work out. Even if the DC is not now completely or even a little LL, would he promise no sudden twists?
Would he treat you with respect when you inform him FIRST of lyme? Call the office ahead of time and ask if you might speak to him for just a couple minutes on the phone. You must tell him first about lyme. It's very important.
Know that most DCs are not primary doctors. They may offer suggestions on other health matters, many have some basic training in nutrition - but they just focus mostly on the skeleton.
A DO (osteopathic doctor) is similar with training and emphasis on the skeleton - but can be a primary care physician and prescribe all the same Rx as a MD.
Not all insurance policies cover DCs or DOs. Check.
Be cautious with any DC or DO who thinks that correcting the spine (&/or full skeleton issues) can singlehandedly help the body heal from EVERYTHING. Often, correcting skeletal problems can certainly turn things around but not with everything - and certainly not with lyme. Much more is required.
On the flip side, you could be doing everything else possible and if there are skeleton problems, they can impede healing. A well aligned and stable skeleton is vital to a healthy body. But, with lyme, it so often is pulled out of line from the muscle contortions that lyme causes. It's a delicate dance that is ongoing.
A LL Feldenkrais practitioner is also a good option, especially for teaching us how to be ergonomically balanced.
Topic: How to find an ILADS-educated LL ND (naturopathic doctor), L.Ac. (acupuncturist), etc.
Includes how to find an ILADS-educated LL ND, a L.Ac. (Acupuncturist), a doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.), or a doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine (D.Ay.), certified herbalists or nutritionists, etc. DO (osteopathic doctor), DC (chiropractic doctor) . . .
Includes many professional links, articles and books on complementary / integrative methods - & RIFE links.
BODY WORK links are also included. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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kidsgotlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23691
posted
My chiropractor is the one who helped to diagnose my daughter's LD. At the very least, they can help with pain, IMO.
-------------------- symptoms since 1993 that I can remember. 9/2018 diagnosed with Borellia, Babesia Duncani, and Bartonella Hensalae thru DNA Connections. Posts: 1470 | From Tennessee | Registered: Dec 2009
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lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
After being in an auto accident last spring I saw a chiropractor recommended by my massage therapist. Turned out his wife has Lyme, so he was very Lyme aware.
The adjustments helped with the accident pain and the Lyme pain, but he doesn't take Medicare, my primary insurance, so I can't continue to see him.
He used mostly active release techniques, which had helped me in the past.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
I was seeing an Atlas Orthogonal specialist chiropractor. WONDERFUL guy and his treatments did wonders for me too.
Unfortunately I can no longer afford to go..but i sure do miss it!
Yes, I did tell him about the Lyme. Educated him quite a bit on it and he told me he had a chiropractor friend with Lyme (who had to quit his practice due to joint pain in his wrists)
My chiropractor did, of course, rather I seek naturopathic treatment.
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
Yes, she said that he does things very gentle and doesn't do anything very hard at all. She said he starts off extremely slow.
She said he said it would help with different conditions, and then she said like your lyme. But I'm not sure if SHE said that or if he said that specifically.
$20 is a good deal since his usual first appt. is $300. She also said he will stretch out payments for appts as long as he possibly can and is really willing to work with people with their accounts.
That was one of my biggest concerns to her when she offered me the certificate was I can't afford that. And so she told me about how he is.
I will of course mention who recommended me and tell him I'm poor lol and see how it goes.
I am hoping it will help with my back and shoulder blade pain. My neck hasn't been hurting AS bad lately.
I can't afford to get an X-ray first. Unless he includes it in the first appt fee. I've had recent X-rays though of the same area that hurts due to other things in the ER and nothing has been off or out of the ordinary.
I guess I will feel him out. If he goes all anti-Lyme on me I won't go back...I've heard it enough-there's no Lyme in GA, the ticks are friendly here I'm sick of hearing it, lol.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- If you go, take your previous x-rays so he can see them. It's best for him to have the actual x-rays in his hands, not just the written report.
See if your insurance will cover either chiropractic (D.C.) or osteopathic (D.O.) treatments.
To be clear, while this may help, it is 3rd or 4th in line in order of priority. Food is first, treating infection is next; liver, CNS, cardiac support next; then I would put body work.
Body work will not treat lyme or any infection directly. So be sure you have money to do that and if there is any to spare, then body work would be nice.
I had years of cranial sacral therapy by a D.O. who finally said he just could not help me any more than the minimal help the treatments provided.
However, MASSAGE was far better for me, both more enjoyable with full 90 minutes sessions (for $80 house call) . . . longer laster and deeper effect for nerves, muscles, pain lessening, mood enhancement, etc.
If you have money to spare, I suggest checking out massage. It really massages out the deep tenseness that chiropractic or osteopathic does not do. A DC or DO work with the skeleton. Massage therapists work with the muscles. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Chiropractors are great for symptomatic care but they should not be your primary treating physician for Lyme.
One of my best friends is a Chiropractor and I have been spoiled by his good care. He evaluates the whole spine and adjusts all that is out of alignment.
Many Chiropractors will ask where you are having pain and they will only treat that area (this is so lazy and incomplete!). Often times my friend detects 3-4 problem areas when I am only acutely aware of one pain area. If he were to only adjust the one pain area I would have to return in a day or two to have the other areas treated.
If your spine has been misaligned for a long time your muscles will also be affected. When the chiropractor realigns your spine you may initially experience pain as your muscles will have to readjust. Sometimes your muscles will be tight enough to pull your spine out of alignment again so then it may take a couple treatments to fix your problem areas.
You may have to try several different Chiropractors before you find one that treats you well. Some people prefer more gentle techniques, I prefer the manual hands-on type adjustments. You will learn what works for you.
When looking for a Chiropractor don't expect them to know or even understand anything about Lyme disease. You need someone who is open minded, non- judgmental, and willing to learn for you.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
One thing most people don't understand about chiropractic is that it's not about the bones. It's about your nervous system. How well can your body heal if you sever your spinal cord? It can't. Christopher Reeves was a good example. Thankfully, most people don't have severe spinal cord injuries like him. What most people do have are small subluxations -- areas where your bone is putting pressure on your spinal cord. This decreases your brain's ability to communicate to your organs, which decreases your body's ability to heal. Adjustments remove that pressure on the spinal cord.
This is why chiropractors see so much variety in the conditions their patients improve upon. Because it depends entirely on where in your spine your subluxation is. If you are subluxated near the nerve to the pancreas, you could develop diabetes. If you are subluxated on the nerve to the bladder, you might be a child who pees the bed at night. Likewise, once those subluxations are removed, the body can heal from those same conditions. The adjustments don't really do anything to heal you; they just free up the nervous energy and your body does the healing on its own.
It's important to stay subluxation free if you want to be healthy. This is why many people choose to see a chiropractor regularly -- because it maintains their health, similar to taking vitamins, working out, or brushing your teeth.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
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He used mostly active release techniques, which had helped me in the past. [/QB]
Now THAT is the only thing that has really helped me! Wish I could find someone proficient in that! My PT left town and he was great at active release.
and I agree with Keebler on massage.. that is awesome stuff too!
This is inspiring me to go back to someone who can do massage or AR for me. Haven't had either treatment in years.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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quote:Originally posted by JunkYardWily: robin you never said if it helps you symptoms. i would assume it does but i wonder how much?
I had all kinds through the years. Approaches can really vary. I tried Palmer Specific, for C1 and C2 only, and frankly, that's where my early symptoms were. The chiropractors swore they could fix me, but no one knew about a bacterial infection. So I ended up in bed.
What got me up again was an adjustment between the atlas and the skull, called an atlanto-occipital adjustment, done by a very good chiro. All the color came back into my face and I was up again. So I appreciate that one!
Then I did general after that, and experienced the light, the medium and the strong. I prefer medium strength. Each of us has to discover what works best.
Adjustments take me out of pain, but they don't hold long, thx to having Lyme. So I have more work to do with the tissues, and that will be an ongoing experiment.
Many here have mentioned massage too. The technique I responded to the most was called strain-counterstrain. Something about the massage practitioner working with both ends of the muscle at once, which helped it to release.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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I'm sick of hearing it, lol.
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