posted
Does anyone else here have their spine manipulated more than occassionally? My back/neck problems have been so severe in the last 12 years that my joints all lock up an average of every 5-10 days. Anyone else have this? Not one of the many, many doctors I have seen over the years could explain why this is-would love an explanation!
I had one period of remission after a cranial sacral treatment but it didn't last. The problem has been much worse since being diagnosed and on abx since earlier this year. The pain is excrutiating and I become nauseated and bedridden if I let it go longer than a day or two without getting an adjustment. Some days I feel like a junkie waiting for the office to open so I can have some temporary relief from the pain!
Diana
Posts: 202 | From vancouver, canada | Registered: Jun 2005
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I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing such a difficult time right now, but I'm glad that you are able to find some relief, albeit temporary.
I too am completely dependent on chiropractic adjustments, at a minimum once a week, oftentimes more frequently if I'm having headaches.
Fortunately my husband is a chiropractor and he has developed a new treatment for me which is helping me more than any other chiropractic treatment I have ever had.
After he has tested this new technique on a sufficient number of FMS/CFS/Lyme patients to gain data on its more general efficacy for these people, he intends to write about it and make it available to other chiropractors to use.
I would like everyone with these conditions to be able to receive this amazing treatment.
Nevertheless, I am a great advocate of chiropractic in general and find that it is essential in my case for pain control, headache relief, flexibility, and energy.
I also get joint rigidity in my spine if I am not adjusted regularly. My husband thinks it has to do with lack of exercise, which would put motion into those joints, and consequent poor blood flow in those tissues.
In addition he says the pathogens live in and around the spinal joints where they can be attacking those tissues, disturbing the intracellular metabolism.
This can lead to intracellular toxicity which can interfere with ATP production, making it further difficult for the cells to perform their normal metabolic and detoxification functions.
Adjustments help to release the pathogens into the bloodstream where the immune system can gradually eliminate them, (although you have to be careful; the first time I was adjusted I became extremely sick for several days.)
My husband thinks that in a case such as yours, the abxs are killing the pathogens in that area, and the toxins produced as they die may be contributing to the pain.
The adjustments serve to help flush out the toxins and reduces the edema in that area(edema stimulates pain receptors, causing pain), providing temporary relief.
He also thinks that ultrasound treatments can be helpful because it speeds up cell metabolism and also reduces edema.
I hope that this difficult period will not last long for you, and that you will experience more lasting relief soon!
Posts: 39 | From california | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I have heard of this happening before. One explanation I heard was that the adjustments that the chiro makes sort of "reset" after awhile.
In other words, your body is stuck in a twisted, nonaligned state and the adjustment corrects that but only temporarily as the body then returns to the nonaligned state.
I think chiropractors are great -- I know mine really helped me after my car accident.
However, I found a form of therapy that seemed to have more permanent type of effects on me - and that was myofascial release.
I should also post about this because I've been mening to but I have just found a Bowen technique practitioner in Berkeley and had the most amazing experience. After my second session with him, my pain reduced significantly.
Cheers,
Alison
--------------------
The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I think I'm going to send my husband to chiropractic school
Is the Bowen Technique anything like rolfing? I tried 10 sessions of that once, oh my gosh-talk about painful! I can't even even handle massage right now so I'm not sure if that is an option.
My joints literally lock up-kind of like a domino effect all the way up my spine. Perhaps it's just way too much inflammation for our bodies to handle.
Posts: 202 | From vancouver, canada | Registered: Jun 2005
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Jellybelly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7142
posted
I used to be. I had a standing appt. with a physical therapist every week and saw the chiro 1-2 times on a week on top of that. I couldn't live without them. I'd be back out of place within hours. I think it had alot to do with muscle spasms.
Thankfully since achieving a pretty high level of remission I rarely need them anymore. Haven't seen the physcial therapist in years and it has been about 10 months since I last saw a chiro. Not that I don't hurt sometimes, but I have also learned a lot of tricks over the years and I can usually relieve most of my pain.
One great tip is to roll on a tennis ball. Run it along side of your spine while lieing on it. It can hurt while doing it, but it usually works for me and I have scoliosis.
Posts: 1251 | From california | Registered: Apr 2005
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The thing I love about Bowen is that it is so very NON-invasive. In fact, my first session I was like, "I'm paying $75 for *this*?!" LOL
It is so gentle. He just did a few muscle manipulations and then leaves the room for me to "cook", as he puts it. Then he comes back in and does a couple more moves and then leaves again. And so on.
He explained that with Bowen, the body isn't subjected to anything strong enough or long enough or whatever enough for it to go into defensive mode and tense up.
And the cook time allows things to move back into place on their own because the body knows how to do this.
I was in excruciating pain when I went to see him. I was worried too that the therapy would hurt too much. But aside from a second or two of discomfort, I was fine and it really helped me. I am practically counting the hours until my next appointment.
Out of all the therapies I've done, this one has had the most dramatic immediate results for me. I've done massage, reiki, cranio sacral, myofascial release and a few others I know I'm forgetting.
I should clarify that my guy does something that he calls "Core Balance Therapy" which is mostly Bowen but also a bit of what he has developed on his own. But I believe it's mostly Bowen technique.
Alison
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The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Although I haven't tried them myself, Myofascial Release and the Bowen technique sound awesome. I would like to try the Bownen technique myself.
I personally believe that soft-tissue therapies are essential components of any effective treatment protocol.
Many(though not all)Chiropractors offer them as adjunctive therapies.
They have their own versions though, such as trigger-point therapy (which can be done manually or with ultrasound), muscle energy technique, cross-friction massage, electrical stimulation, etc.
I was wondering, why was the Bowen technique so painful? I thought it was supposed to be very gentle. Is it because you are just very sensitive at this point?
I look forward to the time when I am well enough that I no longer depend on Chiropractic!
Posts: 39 | From california | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I've heard many times from different sources over the years that the body will have a hard time holding on to adjustments if it is too toxic.
Detoxing in general is a good idea on many levels, it reduces the load on the body, makes you feel better, etc. There's been lots of discussion on this recently.
When it comes to bodywork and energy work, you have to find what works for you at any given time. It's good to know about all the different techniques, but everyone responds differently depending on many factors, where you are in your treatment, ability to detox, how well you hydrate, individual sensitivity levels, how good the practitioner is, etc.
We're lucky to have many different types of healing modalities to choose from. Listen to your body and choose wisely. There is hope things get better.
[ 24. October 2005, 12:29 AM: Message edited by: DolphinLady ]
Posts: 925 | From California | Registered: Sep 2004
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groovy2
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6304
posted
Hi Diana joint pain was my worst symptom If I did not stay in motion my joints would lock up and crack so loud it could be herd across the room Hert like hell--
Before being DX with lyme and Babs I started taking Glucosimine Sulfate It Really helped me-- Joint pain was not completely gone but Much better--
It is not a pain killer it rebuilds cartilage-
There is much info about it on web--
FDA says it works for arthritus--
Costs about $12 a month worth every penny
Make sure bottle dose Not say HCL on it-it is not as effective--Jay--
Ps also did adjustment-- they did help too
Posts: 2999 | From Austin tx USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
My chiropractor has been an integral part of my healing process.
After a surprise gut surgery in June, I kept having swelling, g.i. problems, back pain. I was going to my chiro twice weekly. It helped. It wasn't overnight.
The inflammation that we deal with can't help but put undue pressure on important nerves.
Sometimes it takes more visits to keep the body in line. It keeps wanting to go back to it's old familiar place.
My neck has been a problem for quite some time.
My chiropractor has saved me from an unnecessary surgery on my neck. It's taken awhile.
I trust him.
I am currently going 1-2 times weekly.
Diana, you should be commended for seeking non-drug measures to keep your body healthy.
Blessings,
Bug
-------------------- Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for a future only He can see....Corrie Ten Boom Posts: 343 | From Northcentral Iowa | Registered: May 2005
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
I didn't fare so well. Went to an experienced chiro for back pain. Had one adjustment and walked out with numbnes in my foot, something I' d never experienced with Lyme. PT was a better idea, for me.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567
posted
My chiropractor saves my bacon every week...Without her I would be a big bundle of immovable me.
Now we find out that she too has lyme and babesia. It breaks my heart for her after hearing my tales of woe for as long as she has been treating me.
My only suggestion is this. If you still feel pain or different uncomfortable sensations after an adjustment, tell the chiropractor before you leave the office. Then they can find out what is out of whack and help you more.
We lymies are a challenge to chiropractors. Out bodies react differently than the average person, as in any medical situation. I am deeply grateful to have mine!
Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Thanks everyone for the responses. I found a Bowen practitioner and will do some detoxing and try the glucosamine to see if it helps. Can feel my spine tightening up as I type this. Have I said how much I HATE relying on chiropractic adjustments?
I thank god I have a way to relieve the pain, temporarily but I want it to go away!!!
Jay, it is interersting that your joints lock up with inactivity-mine do the opposite. If I am really active or do anything repetitive I am sure to pay for it.
Diana
Posts: 202 | From vancouver, canada | Registered: Jun 2005
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