Recently Dx'd with Lyme via Western Blot/ELISA. Am currently working with a LLMD here in NorCal (really great doc), but I would love to do this as naturally as possible, rather than taking a billion antibiotics forever.
May have co-infections as well, waiting on those tests still, will get them back soon.
TYIA
~RD
Posts: 31 | From CA | Registered: Sep 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hi - pming you -
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- You might also consider an ILADS educated LL naturopathic doctor.
When considering herbal / nutritional / adjunct methods, because lyme is so very complex & unique, as are possible coinfections:
if at all possible - because each person & each case is different - it's best to consult with an ILADS-educated LL ND (lyme literate naturopathic doctor) (or similar) who has completed four years of post-graduate medical education in the field of herbal and nutritional medicine -
- and someone who is current with ILADS' research & presentations, past and present, and has completed the ILADS Physician Training Program (see: www.ilads.org )
so they really know all they can about the science of lyme . . . how lyme (& other TBD) act and what we can do about that in various ways. Proper ASSESSMENT of not just lyme but coinfectoins is vital. Someone trained by ILADS is best to assess.
Many LL NDs incorporate antibiotics (depending upon the licensing laws in their state). Some LLMDs and LL NDs have good working relationships.
When possible, it's great to have both a LLMD and LL ND and even better when they have a long-standing professional relationship.
For those considering complementary support methods / or other avenues entirely:
Herbal Safety considerations & reference books; etc.
Links to many articles and books by holistic-minded LL doctors of various degrees who all have this basic approach in common:
knowing which methods offer assertive & direct impact, which are only support and which are both. And when to use what, how to combine, & when to step back.
You can compare and contrast many approaches with links to articles, books, methods . . .
BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.)
Links here to two major sources: Buhner, & Zhang. Be sure to get their books. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
"BODY WORK methods / links (and why anyone who works on your spine MUST be LL to the degree they at least know to never suddenly twist neck or spine. Never. Ever. And that we should never be advised to do neck / head / shoulder stands.)"
Wait, WHAT? What about Chiropractors? Why can't you do that? My spine has some weak points and I don't know what I would do without being able to get adjusted.
A lot of really good info there Keebler, thank you. I'm running out the door right now, but I will dive into all that once I'm back!
~RD
Posts: 31 | From CA | Registered: Sep 2016
| IP: Logged |
posted
Chiropractors are a mainstay for a lot of Lyme patients, including myself. They just need to know what they're doing!
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
So how do they adjust my atlas without doing that? What do I tell them to do instead?
Posts: 31 | From CA | Registered: Sep 2016
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- "They just need to know what they're doing! "
Indeed . . . and that means regarding lyme, too. Anyone who touches anyone with lyme really needs to know how lyme affects the spine, joints, muscles, etc.
And to take it easy.
Robin knows of a more gentle method . . . and that is posted alongside the Upledger and Feldenkrais links in that post in the main ND thread .
I think it's Korin? or something like that. The thing is that bacteria can be a cause of swollen vertebrae and in the spinal tissues. Lyme can also be in there and any sudden twists of the spinal column, can send spirochetes out in a mad rush.
I found out the hard way why this can be so bad. It would be years later when I read it by a LLMD but did not save that and can't seem to find it on the web.
There are gentle ways that work that do not twist or push too harshly.
And, keep in mind that as long as lyme is around and also if magnesium is low, all the adjustments in the world might not work if other things are not also addressed.
The muscles will just keep tightening up and pulling from the toxicity of lyme and how it irritates nerve fibers. And, if magnesium is depleted (as is often the case with lyme) muscles are often tight, spasm and don't easily hold adjustments).
Another consideration against sudden harsh twisting is that for those with lyme, soft body tissue is just very compromised and it may not take much to make that worse.
Along with
1. attention to lyme and
2. being sure magnesium levels are good - and
3. having key anti-inflammation methods on board
. . . safe body work methods can be very helpful and even necessary, though.
There are likely other considerations as well but the best thing is to ask one's LLMD who specifically & what techniques they recommend for any body work.
CONSIDER MASSAGE - massage can be more effective than any of the bone manipulation procedures if the muscles are tight and do not hold treatment. -
[ 09-07-2016, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
JOHN F. BARNES, P.T. is one of the top experts on myofascial release. After a surgery, this can help reduce - or soften - adhesions that typically occur.
Many other good links through Google, Bing and some video introductions on YouTube.
=================================
Low impact, non-aerobic exercises that are very powerful in a deep and gentle way:
Tai Chi can be excellent. So can Qi Gong (Chi Gong), which requires less turning of the head and less sideways movement. One of the most healing styles of Qi Gong is Soaring Crane. With either Tai Chi or Qi Gong, be sure it's a healing style. Some are more aggressive in nature.
Restorative Yoga is a good style.
===============================
Some find LED light therapy to help with joints. This is just one link for one of the more popular units. There are more links on the web - and several threads that can be searched here at LymeNet through the search feature/archives.
. . . Sarah is a woman in mid-life with two grown children. After a disabling bout with Lyme disease, she felt that her feet ``refused to follow orders.''
Her gait was disturbed and simple tasks became hazardous. One evening she broke her ankle as she walked across her bedroom! Now her determination to stay mobile was burdened by more pain and weakness.
At this point, Sarah's massage therapist sent her to me for Functional Integration lessons. She made immediate and rapid progress; her feet found their way; and her gait became stable and fluid.
``In the aftermath of Lyme disease, Feldenkrais lessons contributed to my entire sense of well-being. The movements improved my fine motor skills. Also, because I was walking all wrong, it tired me out.
I knew I was walking incorrectly, but I didn't know how to correct the problem--now that I'm walking better, I have more stamina,'' she explains. . . .
BIOFEEDBACK
Biofeedback training is often covered by insurance for a diagnosis of migraine. Biofeedback cannot replace the wonderful benefit of hands-on work but it can certainly augment the success. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Robin,
what is that technique that helped you? I thought it was posted in with the posted I pulled out above but now don't see it.
Starts with a "K" I think. Was it gentle in that no sudden twisting or jerking? I think I recall you either saying that or that it was a method that worked for you. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Luckily I lived in the Bay Area most of my life, and am familiar with all of those things. My husband is actually trained in Cranio-Sacral, so that's a bonus!
My atlas goes out all. The. Freaking. Time. Sometimes it can go back out five minutes after the adjustment! I have almost constant headaches.
The biggest thing is that I need to find out what to tell my current chiropractors. I live in a very small town, and driving wipes me out, so even if I could go get all this other bodywork done, no doubt my atlas would go back out by the time I got home.
Oddly, my PT did some manual manipulation on me yesterday and that seemed far more gentle, AND my atlas stayed in place even through all the PT!
Oh my goodness. There is so freaking much to learn!
Posts: 31 | From CA | Registered: Sep 2016
| IP: Logged |
Actually, we're supposed to have medical discussions in General Support and Medical Questions - the latter to ask questions, the former for everything.
So I would like to continue this discussion about chiropractic care there, if you could start a new post where we can all chime in, and we will! This is a chiming-in kind of group!
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic