I have now seen the chiropractor three times for cervical pinched nerve. I was told on the first trip I had degenerative disc and C3 and C4 were pinching a nerve. During my second trip she told me that my neck was completley straight and a spur on C3 or maybe C4 was causeing pinching and that the disc between C3 and C4 was degenerating. So I went back for my third visit today and tonight I am hurting bad after my adjustment. Does anyone have any experience with a chiropractor and RSD. I have heard that RSD causes our bone density not to be good so to be careful with hairline fractures during adjustments. I would love to here from somebody who might has been to one with having the RSD and did it help or hurt worse in the longrun. Thanks for any advice or experiences that you may have to offer. I am open to the bad and good , I just want to be informed in my descision to continue or stop care. Thanks Angela!

Angela, I have found that chiropractors are like other docs. You have to look for the good ones. I have had some who have NO concept of RSD, others who "think" they know and FEW who do know and understand how to treat us! I have been to 6 different ones and out of that have 1 who actually knows about RSD, SCS and how to care for us. I see her (yes her) very rarely for things but when I need to see her she helps me without hurting me. So IMO you need to find a new one interview them if at all possible then let them work on you.
z

Has there been MRI & X rays or other imaging to verify exactly what the problems are?

I would want to be as sure as possible before any treatment by anyone, MD, PT or DC.

I agree... i definitely would get a second opinion on that. Get some imaging done to see if its actually going on. There are a lot of people that have a straight cervical spine. If he is saying pinched nerve and all of that other stuff, i agree I would DEFINITELY get imaging done sooner than later to help your worries. But make sure you get a second opinion before you get treatment for it. Just in case his diagnosis was incorrect. You can tell by MRI for degenerative disc disease. That just seems like alot of diagnosis's with no data and only seeing you twice. I would be scared if someone told me all that stuff to, so your feelings are normal. Take a deep breath, get imaging and get a second opinion. When you get your MRI the radiologist at the center reads the MRI... say a prayer and keep us updated.

I went to the ER and the doc did no exrays and said I had cervical radiculpothy. I tried calling my pain doctor who had been giving me RF ablation for headaches to see if it was coming from that. The nurses there will not give the docs the messages and return calls and sure will not let you come in just for eval. The next visit the doc says you should have come in. After no help there I turned to the chiro and they did an exray and gave these diagnosises. So after lots of calls my pain doc set me up for an MRI today. He wasn't thinking when he did that because I have a SCS so I had to call back and make him change it to a CT with Dye. Today at the chiro she started trying to adjust my upper back and I have leads in there. I just don't feel as if anyone is listening to me when I see them but there is no other docs in the area to go see who is familar with RSD. I already drive an hour for to see the pain doc and ortho. I am getting ready to go for the scan but who knows how long it will take them to call with the results. The chiro wants me to come back tommorrow but I am so sore I can not stand anyone to touch me write now and if I don't go I will be charged for a missed appointment. So what to do who nows? Thanks for the advice I am so scared and just don't want to mess up my spine it is bad enough being in a wheelchair on bad days I don't want to be in it all the time. Thanks a bunch got to go to the CT scan now!

Good question. Call your chiro and tell him that you are in a pain flare and need to call back to reschedule. if the doctor knows anything about rsd, then he would understand. MOST offices will NOT charge you for something like that. It isnt because we are leisurely not coming in. Thats interesting you have a SCS as well... personally for me I am too scared to see a chiro to get adjusted with the leads. Especially if you say he is not aware and paying attention before adjusting you... I know the feeling of trying to hold onto any threads of hope you have. Many of us are in your same position. I would say wait, and then sit down with your pain doctor. If he is always rushed, when he walks in say that this is really important that he takes the time for you. This needs to be addressed for treatement because of the pain. REMEMBER YOU ARE PAYING THEM, THEY WORK FOR YOU. They aren't paying you...

My heart truly goes out to you. I wish I could do something to help. Know you are being prayed for. hang in there and let me know what they end up saying

Hello,

I have full body RSD with organ involvement. I was diagnoised by my DC. I have been seeing him 3 times a week 5 if I'm flared for the last 7 years. He is an activator DC and doesn't use his hands. I went to see Dr. S in Philly and he told me that chiropratic care is the best thing I can do for myself. I had a SCS and was adjusted while it was in and sometimes it was on. I had it removed after 3 years it was no longer effective.
I hope you find the relief you need and deserve.
Take care,
Sherrie

I agree with Sherrie.
I first got RSD in 83. Started with a D.O. Those are some rough adjustments!

Then, I found I needed chiropractic, and found one in walking distance to my home. God smiled on me that day. He was a forigner, a palestinian I think, and he was the kindest man. (I've sent many friends/family to him).
I travelled alot between Philly and Mt. Pocono, and had to get a Chiro there, and turned out to be a woman, nice lady. I got them together on the phone, and she learned his technique quickly. I usually got hot packs with Stim on my shoulders (TOS), and very gentle adjustments, or stretching, depending on the spasms du jour.
He even wrote a letter for me, because at the time I was travelling the country on business. This so I could give to other Chiro's. Back then, there was no Imetrex, etc. for headaches.

It was my only relief for certain headaches.

And, since the spasms pull the vertebra tight, I seem to feel actually 'taller' when I come out of my chiro's office! Certainly, the gentle movement of each vertebrae I found to give me a greater range of motion!

I like the gentle, hands on kind of chiro, but, that's personal....
Also, after 7 years, and literally a hundred doctors of all types, it was this particular chiro, who recognized the RSD, and sent me to Dr S in Philly! A miracle by today's standards, but I was in to see Dr S within a few weeks! And, finally got my RSD dx!

I wish you the best!

Pete
asb

Thanks everyone! I am still very sore from today and I just don't think I can handle being touched tommorrow. I had my ct scan done today but I do not know when I will get the results. Right now I have been having the heat and tens unit and that feels fine but after the adjustment she rubs so deeply it makes me chringe and hold my breath it hurts so bad. I am not sure why you got to rub that hard and I am more swollen after that and have a hard time sleeping.

Sherrie I have never heard of a no hands kind of approach but sounds like I might want to look into that and see if anyone around here practices that.

Pete thanks for letting me know of your experience and to know that someone had an adjustment with leads to a SCS in your back is comforting. I so want to get some relief but right now I just feel this one is contradicting herself or just does not have time to address my concerns without being rushed.

After I get my results from the CT scan maybe I can find a different one that I feel more comfortable with and feel takes time to listen to me and then I can feel at ease letting them help. I just wish after the gentle jerk to adjust that they did not have to rub so hard. If I wasn't hurting then I would be after that.

Thanks again everyone! Angela

I will agree with the comment that chiropractors are like every other type of doctor - you have to do your research and find out about them.

Several years ago, I decided to give a chiropractor a try to see if I could get any joint relief from my Rheumatiod Arthritis (RA). I found a chiropractor who not only knew about RA, but was also very familiar with RSD. We had a long discussion before any treatment started about that she "could" and "could not" do. She was very realistic and was also not willing to risk hurting me.

I think that is what you need to look for. It may take some digging around, and you may get some chiropractors who are insulted that you might question their knowledge, but the good ones will be willing to discuss their background and experience with you.

Good luck,

Mike