? about chiropractors
 

Hello to all,

I haven't been able to post in quite some time but I read your stories often and keep you in my prayers. Last year, my husband, who is such a dear soul, was diagnosed with cancer and all my efforts were put toward cancer research and finding him the best doctors. The same month he was diagnosed, both my elderly parents became critically ill and were not expected to pull through. Just when it seemed that things could not get any worse, my beautiful 13 year old pomeranian died in my arms. So, you can understand why I haven't been around. But, it's a new year and things are looking a little better. My husband had surgery and is currently in remission, my Dad moved in with us and is surprising us all. Sadly, my Mom, is clinging to life and is not expected to be with us much longer. But, I've no doubt that God will give me the strength to endure what comes.
Today is the third anniversary of the fall that resulted in my rsd. I've reached the conclusion that I will not be getting any better. I have tried all the standard treatments..pt,nerve blocks, and a host of at least 20 different meds. Nothing has been able to dull the pain enough so that I could walk for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. I have a leg brace and cane for short distances and a wheelchair for longer distances. I recently stopped all my meds as they were not doing what I needed them to do. While I'm not expecting a miracle, I have read that chiropractors are supposed to be able to help reduce the pain of RSD. None in my area even know what rsd is which leads me to my question. Does anyone here know of a chiropractor in the state of Connecticut or know where I might find that info? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and I'm so sorry I haven't been able to write sooner....Jeannie

That sounds like a really tough year for your family.

here's a variety of chiro locater sites - some will give more details about the dr and such - it's a good starting place

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Thank you so much for the info.You went to so much work for me...please know that it is appreciated. I have tried some of those sites but there are also some new ones there to try. Maybe I'll have some success this time...Thanks again....Jeannie

I would also add if anyone wants a board-certified orthopedic specialist within chirorpactic, I would check out: the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedist and the Academy of Chiropactic Orthopedist (can't put the URL because I haven't posted 10 times yet!). They all have chiro locators. Beware though of those who say they can "cure" anything!

(((Jeannie)))

I pray that 2009 is a much better year for you and your family. :hug:

I would caution you to on finding one that is genuinely reputable. I avoid chiropractors because I have heard nothing but horror stories and I've never yet heard of anyone being "cured" of their particular ailment in less than 3 months! In fact, I can't think of anyone I know who has gone to one and had any improvements...

I am not sure what relief you would get for CRPS from a chiropractor. I can see that if you have secondary problems, say, from sitting a lot that it could help but otherwise I have not seen any medical or anecdotal evidence yet that chiropractic manipulation techniques were of any value in treating or relieving CRPS. I am sure that we will all be very interested to hear how it goes if you do try it.

I did try a chiropractor very early in my RSD journey...approx 3 months after falling. I have to say that compared to any of the 3 pt's that worked on me that I felt the chiropractor was better. At least he wasn't afraid to actually touch my foot. I do feel I gained some ground from the initial injury of torn ligaments and tendons. He did not, however, know why my foot was cold and blue so obviously he didn't know about RSD. In doing research on some of the RSD websites, chiropractors are listed as doctors who treat RSD so I thought I would give it a try. After all, everything else has failed. It appears, however there are very few in my state that have this knowledge. Thanks for your input...Jeannie

I strongly doubt that chiropractic will permanently favorably affect your RSD but you may get some temporary palliative relief. I don't believe it would hurt to try. Like anything else is health care, give it 4 weeks, if you find no value, either temporary or gradual, then it's not for you. I would only continue after 4 weeks if you were sure it was helping. Some chiropractors like MD's, PT's or anyone else for that matter in health care, will have you continue to return so long as they have a mortgage or car payment to feed.

Used to be
Just one point - chiropractors are not doctors. Lots of them "claim" to treat CRPS but if you look through all of the clinical and other literature out there on CRPS, you will see an amazing lack of any references to chiropractic treatment - good, bad or otherwise. If it was something that was considered useful from a treatment or therapeutic perspective, I can't believe that there wouldn't be at least some clinical studies, evaluations or articles discussing its effectiveness.

So long as they don't do you any damage when they are doing their manipulation I am sure that it can't do any harm and if you get something beneficial from it then that is most likely a good thing.

Gymjunkie, While I agree with most of what you said, you are incorrect to state that they are not doctors. They are doctors of chiropractic just like a dentist is a doctor of dentistry or a psychologist is a doctor of psychology. They are not M.D.'s, but they are doctors nonetheless.

There are 3 primary providers acknowleged in the U.S.: MD's, D.C.'s and D.O.'s. By the way,the D.O.'s in addition to administering standard allopathic care (drug's, etc.) also learn how to and believe in manipulating the spine/joints just like the chiro's and along with scores of studies published now, manipulation as done by a D.O. or D.C. is efficacious in treating certain musculoskeletal conditions, many times with validated quicker or better results than conventional medical care. And if they were so horrible, they wouldn't be the #1 alternative health care provider in the U.S., ahead of accupuncture or homeopathy.

While I just don't think that there is much that a D.C. could do for CRPS, there are citations in the literature (J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2000 Jul;30(7):401-9.Thoracic spine dysfunction in upper extremity complex regional pain syndrome type I.Menck JY, Requejo SM, Kulig K) attesting to the benifit of using spinal manipulation for CRPS, and like I stated before, it probably wouldn't hurt to try a short course to attempt to temporarily help with some of the pain, especially in view of the fact that either not much else helps either or treatment which is available can have serious side-effects.

I really wish MDs & DCs would work together, they both could provide more complete care to patients.

I know many are wary of alternative types of care , but I'm sure glad I found my chiropractor.

Dubious
Before you jump down my throat in quite such an abrupt way, I live in the UK and the position here regarding chiropractors is obviously completely and significantly different than where you are. They would never be permitted to be referred to or call themselves "doctor" or use that terminology here. I think this is a simple disconnect that has arisen as a consequence of us living in different countries. Chiropractors clearly have rather a different reputation here in the UK and we have very different regulation of healthcare professionals.

Thanks for the citation of the article which I will look up when I get a chance. I am not saying that it can't help some people, all I am saying is that unlike so many other treatment modalities, there is virtually no mention of chirpopractic treatment in connection with the treatment of CRPS. My view is that this is surprising when you consider how many chiropractors say they can treat it. No more than that.

Hi Gymjunkie,
I wonder why it is then, that many of the RSD websites that we all look to list chiropractors as doctors who do indeed treat this disorder. I can't imagine that these sites which we look to for quidance and direction would list these doctors unless there was something in the literature that supports their having success in treating this disorder as well as the knowledge behind it. I have visited some chiropractic web sites where they posted page after page of literature on RSD so obviously there is knowledge there. When I first started posting here there was a woman who had been treated for RSD by a chiropractor and felt she improved. As you say, it may be a difference in the area that we live. Just something to think about...Jeannie

I'm from the UK also and have found plenty of websites about Chirpractors treating RSD and many doctors state that it CAN help some people with RSD. Of course, it wont work for everyone as everyone is different but for some people it will work and can help lower their pain levels!

On the RSD UK Website (which I believe has now shut down), they used to have a list of Chiropractors that treat RSD and in which location they were located etc. I've personally never visited a Chiropractor to treat my RSD but it is definitely something to look into if other treatments don't work.

I am SO glad to hear that the treatment is helping you somewhat and hope you see even more improvements real soon!

Alison.

Ali,
I was just thinking that one that does a variety of therapies might be something to look into for you ankle, leg, foot problems..
If something is pinching a nerve ?
or maybe they could work to release the muscles & tendons that are spasming/locking up.
might be worth a few visits & evaluations to see what they think...
-interview them first to find a really good one

I just jumped aboard on this topic. About chiropractors. I see alot of advertising here in the states for acupuncture,chiropractors, natural medicine. I know alot of people would disagree with me but i believe in the future we will see that fibromyalgia and alot of the other disorders are all similiar being the case that us with crps take most if not first meds for our crps. Example being Cymbalta i was prescribed first for the crps and depression, before it was even approved for rsd. Neurontin is used as well, then they made lyrica which is a sister drug. I think that difference therapies work for different people. Here some people have done acupuncture with their rsd and it worked. My friends son in law is a licensed chiropractor here in ny and he hasnt yet worked on a rsd patient. Hmmm not sure id want to be his first but it would be interesting to see if it helped.

Jolene

MY experience with chiropractic doctors and RSD
 

It is important for us all to remember... that no two of us have the exact same symptoms and/or medical problems as related to RSD. We also do not react the same way to medicines or medical treatments. We all need to find what works best for us. We need to share what has and what has not worked for us so that others can try it for themselves if they so choose. What might or might not work for me might work for someone else.

Here is MY first hand knowledge and experience with chiropractor and acupuncture as related to MY rsd.

When I first started seeing my chiro I was possibly the one of the worlds largest skeptics!!! My rsd had spread to mid thigh after starting in my foot. This was in October... after having been diagnosed in August. By January after many hours of treatments with both Chiropractic adjustments and acupunture on a daily basis....my pain, signs, and symptoms were at that time only located from my ankle to my toes. Pain levels went from a 10+ to a 4.

For ME, Chiropractic and Acupuncture worked. I had some unfortunate, mitigating circumstances that caused my RSD to rage out of control when an all knowing, doctor playing, insurance nurse believed that she knew what treatment was best for me and removed me from chiropractic/acupuncture treatment. The nurse sent me to a doctor where that nurse TOLD the doctor what treatment was going to be done and ordered the doctor to provide the treatment the nurse was demanding.


My Chiropractor told me:
As far as Chiropractors being called doctor... some are and some are not. Some are "Licensed" Chiropractors... others do have a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine. BOTH have to be licensed by the state and take tests from the state medical licensing board.

There are well known and highly regarded schools to become a Chiropractor and/or Acupunturist: Palmer Chiropractic College, National University of Health Sciences are but two...there are others.

Gymjunkie.....
I do not think Dubious was "jumping down your throat in an abrupt way", I think he/she was being very matter-of-fact about defining what a chiropractor really is and where they legitimately fit into the medical profession. I do not read it as intending to undermine you, it was merely correcting an inaccurate statement that you had made discounting chiropractics altogether, at least in regard to the US.

It is unfortunate that your experience with chiropractics has been so negative where you live. It is important to find a GOOD doctor in whatever specialty you require. There ARE many good chiropractors here in our country and they are invaluable in treating many ailments/conditions that the other medical professions have been unable to cure through more "traditional" methods.

We should welcome each others input and should be tolerant and willing to learn more information for the common good of furthering education about this disease from which we all suffer, as well as possible treatments to help each individual live their lives as fully as possible. Let's not make it about "us and them".....but rather "we and us"!!

Best wishes for a peaceful, pain managed night to all!!!