Chiropractics and RSD...Pain Relief?
 

Hi All,
I know I don't post alot (cause my hands hurt so much and it is painful for me to sit up typing) but I do try to read every few days or so to keep up-to-date. I laugh when you laugh and cry when you all cry.

I see there is some mentioning of chiropractic treatments here. I have had my full-body rsd (and Fibro) for over four years now and have used a chiropractor for two years of it and see a huge improvement in pain and function. However, the insurance co does not see any improvements and is cancelling my care. Now, I have to go to court and represent myself because I want to continue it. I've been told that chiropractics and RSD don't go together and I am lucky I received it for as long as I did...yet it helps me so much. I see a great chiropractor who doesn't do the "crack you and your out the door" thing. She does many different types of fascia work and PT with me. She has enabled me to walk again. How does everyone feel about chiropractics and any ideas on how I can keep continuing to use it in my future and get workers comp to pay for it. I went six months without it and I've gone down the tubes. I appreciate all your help.

I have to let you all know that when I have a terrible day and no one seems to understand I check out this site and most of the time I find someone who feels as though I do and then some. Thanks for all your help with this daily battle of RSD. You all are the best and I pray for your healing.
Take care,
kathy d:hug: :grouphug:

Hi Kathy,
 

I've never been a fan of chiropractors but I think it's up to each person on what they find that works.

My daughter just wasted a month going to one and finally broke down and went to our Dr. about her back.

I went to an Osteopathic Dr. years ago and she's the reason I am in the shape I am in today. She popped all my bones and caused me to have TOS and RSD on the right side. When I went to her I only had it in the left. My PCP sent me to her only for a diagnoses. He ask her if she would help diagnose me because he knew her. She really did a job on me. I tried to sue her but the attorneys said that my case was too complicated. At the time RSD was even less known.

It sounds like your Chiropractor knows other treatments besides just popping bones. I don't think it matters what kind of Dr. you go to just so they don't make you worse.

Ada

I don't think chiropractors are able to treat RSD, neither are PTs. It takes a slew of different approaches (chiropractors and PTs might help), but they mostly involve medication, nerve blocks, infusions and such.

RSD needs medical treatment. Whatever else you do that works for you, works for you.

It took 7 years for my rsd diagnoses. During that time, and long after, my chiropractor kept me moving. He was in fact, the person who realized I had rsd! And, sent me to dr S.
He's very gentle. Not just popping bones, but slowly stretching. Using the hot packs, cold packs electric stim, whatever he needed. Gentle massage.
He gave me a far improved range of motion, with less pain.
Osteopathic doctors are too "Rough".
But a good, gentle chiropractor who understands rsd and tos, can do a great job in taking away some day to day misery!

Pete
ASB

Hello Kathy,

I would be strung out on meds if it were not for my chiropractor. He DX me and has been treating me for 8 years. I got very lucky and bought an insurance that he offered I pay 217.00 per month. It covers a family of 4 and all the treatments and x-rays that are needed. This plan was a blessing from God.
I have full body RSD it has effected my lungs and heart. I see my chiropractor 3 days a week and sometimes 5 if I am flaired (he no longer offers the insurance) I went to Philly to see an RSD research doctor. He said chiropractic care is the best things I can do for myself. He is an activator chiropractor he uses a small spring loaded instrument to adjust my spine. I am too tender for him to use his hands. His adjustments really help with the chronic fatige.
It works for me and I am glad I found my DC.
Take care,
Sherrie

First... remember.... no two of us with RSD/CRPS are the same, we don't have the same symptoms, same locations, same anything other than the name. Nor do we react the same to medicines, therapies, or treatments.


If it weren't for my Chiropractor, I wouldn't be here.... HE IS THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO GET MY PAIN LEVELS TO GO DOWN AT ALL!!!! I am severely allergic to ALL narcotic pain medicines.


I say do what is best for you... If Chiropractic brings you relief, then by all means FIGHT your insurance company!!! Ask your Chiro if they will testify or write a letter to the judge on your behalf.


I wish you the best!!!
Abbie

Thanks all for your help with the chiropractics suggestions. I appreciate your input. I just sent all the paperwork in to fight the works comp for me to keep my chirop. (and I am taking her to court with me this time)...and yesterday I got a ltr in the mail from ins saying they want to review me having to have Ketamine treatment done!!! I have only been waiting over two and a half years for this treatment and NOW they are questioning me to have it done. I just sat and cried yesterday. I don't know what they could say since they can't claim my chiropractor made me much better because they are refusing to pay that bill. I don't know how these people sleep at night. Thanks for all your help and ideas. The fight marches on.
Take care,
kathy d:mad:

hi my name is maryam71 i just recently been diagnosed with rsd my orthopedic surgeon did 3 surgeries on my left foot they say i should be walking in about 6-8 months it does not look like that will happen my foot is sensitive to touch, heat, cold i cant even sleep with a sheet on it i just started walking this week i had the surgery on may6,2009 none of my meds help for the pain i lost all muscle tone in my calf my leg is very week.i know it will be difficult to walk because my big toe does not even move my surgery i had was tendon transfer,bunion osteo,and calcaneal osteo ,they cut the heal bone moved it over and put two screws in place and to hold it together my foot does not feel like it belongs to me my foot is off balance what i really need is a good doctor do you have any ideas im thinking of seeing an chiropractor can they help control my rsd pain thank you maryam71
:)

Is there a way that the kind of therapy she is performing could be coded so that is WOULD be acceptable to WC? Like so many of the replies above explained, there are different types of chiropractic care. She is performing "fascia and PT." On the medical forms for payment there are certain codes that are universally used these days for payment. Even though a chiropractor is doing the work, can you use the PT code? WC might not give you such a hard time under those circumstances.

But then again, its WC and they stink big time.

Its awful that you've been forced to go six months without a therapy that helped you. When WC denied my PT, I used my personal insurance to pay for coverage until it was reinstated. (I still have not been reimbursed for my co-pays).

I am currently hoping that I can get into a ketamine program in Boston or NY in the next year, before I've had RSD too long. I still need to educate my kids. I know it won't work forever, and there are risks. But its typically more successful in cases where RSDers haven't been sick for a really long time. Plus, my RSD is in my head, which is probably the worst place you could get it, because my head hurts all the time. I think you are really lucky to have an opportunity to at least try it. For some people it is a godsend.

Even with ketamine, I think you will still need your therapy, though, so persist in getting your therapist (i.e.-chiropractor) back. It's just a matter of semantics.

Good luck to you, Sandy

chiropratic works for me
 

Hi All, I have crps/rsd since about three years from a front car accident in my upper extrem. Also whiplash. Low back pain. A little over two years ago I found a great chiropractor. He is also a massage therapist. I am much better after he treats me. He treats my whole body including arms, elbows, hands. I recommend chiropractic for crps/rsd but it has to be a doctor that is more informed and is up-to-date on other issues about the body. My chiropractor is also a professor of anatomy and physiology at a college. I have seen three other chiropractors that actually hurt me or did hardly anything. I hope in the future that chiropractic care will become more accepted by the medical community. My health ins so far paid for about 10 month in lieu of physical therapy. They might stop any time. If they do I will find ways to continue. Where there is a will, there is away. I am not taking any drugs and am glad I don't have to because my pain is so reduced with chiropractic now. :grouphug: