Chiropractic? Last Post From Me Today, Promise

[jenglynn]

I have a friend who, as most people, SWEAR by their chiropractors. I have nothing for or against them. So my friend called me the other day and was describing his philosophy- he doesn't really in "diagnosis" There are only 2- Heakthy or Unhealthy. He is into good nutrition, that's great, relaxation, and adjusting gently and he thinks he can cure me in a months time. Actually- right now I have 4 different chiros trying to get my attention. I'm not sure why other than my illness is high profile in my community because I've had a little publicity and a fundraiser benefit. And my church is VERY involved in helping and I'm just overwhelmed with the resources they have opened up. Anyway, because I'm bedridden he is willing to come to my home as much as daily if need it, supply me with all the supplements I need to stay healthy and continue lifetime treatment and nutrient supplements and nutrition classes forever, FOR FREE should I accept.

Have any of you heard of chiro treatment "curing" autonomic neuropathy caused by an autonomic disease, with that autoimmune disease being very aggressive, EDS, and all these other issues- or even making them functional? Should I consider this or could it be dangerous? When I asked my current neuro he said."Absolutely NOT!!!!!!!! but nothing else has helped? Input or results? Thoughts? Thanks guys!

[Dizzysillyak]

Since he's into nutrition, I would try it. FREE is nice too tho.

Jmho, if he doesn't recommend that you

eliminate all common food intolerances like gluten, dairy, corn, soy, egg and all chemicals

I'd try a different chiro. I'm actually hoping he recommends the paleo diet since it reduces cytokines.

Gluten free is the minimum tho ..

I had gentle chiro treatments for years after coming down with disabling cfs but they didn't help. I couldn't walk without my legs feeling heavy and falling into things. And all my muscles were in spasm.

Changing my diet stopped this. My insurance paid that chiro enough to buy a porsche or two. Lol ..

Btw, that's great that you have such a wonderful support system. Hugs .. D

[HopeSprings]

Have any of you heard of chiro treatment "curing" autonomic neuropathy caused by an autonomic disease, with that autoimmune disease being very aggressive, EDS, and all these other issues- or even making them functional? Should I consider this or could it be dangerous? When I asked my current neuro he said."Absolutely NOT!!!!!!!!

No, I don't think it can be a cure and I'm with your neuro on this. It may have been a chiropractor who set off my autonomic crisis - at the very least he probably herniated disks in my neck. Didn't have them before the chiropractor - had them directly after. I obviously had a very negative experience, so this is why I'm so opposed. Maybe my guy just stunk or maybe I was predisposed to problems with my neck and had no business seeing a chiropracter. Either way, they just scare me. Be careful.

[yogini]

I don't think it is realistic to cure pots in one month, and i think you have other health problems too? And I have never heard of it cured, just managed with meds or gone away over time. I would think very carefully about getting chiro adjustments with EDS. If he is willing to treat you with just the supplements, then that might not be a bad option.

[Elfie]

I'd be very careful with EDS and ANY chiro as well-- esp. one that isn't very experienced with it. Also, not everyone needs supplements and some can be harmful--- I prefer to work with docs and good nutritionists from that angle. It doesn't hurt to try gluten and allergen free diets, but it may not work for you. Mine actually made my symptoms worse.

[puppylove]

I went to a person like that at the start of my pots. The cracking really did make me feel better. But she tried to give me all kinds of supplements to take- they all had side effects and were not approved by the FDA.

[issie]

Since I'm into alternative meds - I'm like the others - this might be good. But, unless he is REALLY, REALLY good at looking at ALLLLLLLL your medical history and doing research on interactions and contradictions - I'd be very, very careful with that. One thing might help one thing . . .but, if there is another health issue that you didn't tell him about it could make something else worse. Alternative things are medicines - even though they are in a more natural form - they are still a bit synthetic because they are refined. So, you have to be really careful with alternative things and KNOW what your dealing with and what you're doing.

As for adjustments. With EDS that 's really "ify" cause something can go very wrong. The best thing I've found is either massage therapy (done lightly) or osteopathy. That was the best thing for manipulation cause they actually work on the nerves and blockages and it is very, very gentle. Doctors of osteopathy can also write scripts, but usually try to go a more alternative route. I have a chiropractor that only uses pressure points and his fingers to put me in and doesn't do the popping thing. So, that works.

[HopeSprings]

The best thing I've found is either massage therapy (done lightly) or osteopathy. That was the best thing for manipulation cause they actually work on the nerves and blockages and it is very, very gentle.

Now that sounds good! I'd do that.

[Katybug]

I think my chiro kept me going for about 3 yrs longer than I would have without him. He really helped me manage my joint pain and migraines. He also helped with some of the nausea and just general feeling of well being. That being said, he was very careful with me. He did not ever do manual adjustments after our first appt because I told him the adustmentto my neck made me dizzy an have blurry vision. He said that is an indication that there is a nerve or vein that is being affected and that we should only do adjustments using a tool called an activator. It is a much more subtle adjustment with much less chance of the kind of damage that Naomi describes in her post. I also have a lot of "pain" in my skin and joints, so manual adjustments were truly painful, so I was glad he kept with the activator. I wuld still see him but he is on the other sde of town near where I worked and I am not comfortable driving that far anymore. But, truly he was a God-send. And...he believed me...there wasn't anything about my symptoms he didn't take seriously. He had seen me as a well person, so my deterioration was very visible to him.

I say go for it, but, be very careful to let him know if ANYTHING doesn't feel right. And, no, I don't beleive he can cure you, but, even if you feel 10% better for 6 hours after a treatment...isn't that better than nothing?

[rach73]

I've had a chiropracter tell my husband he could "cure " my POTS without ever meeting me or knowing my complex medical history. I never went to see him as if hes making these claims to a perfect stranger in my book hes a quack, if he had said I would like to work with your wife and see if I can help her I may have been more interested.

I used to go to a chiropractor years ago who used the Bowen technique - extremely gentle and no crunching but the manipulations wouldnt hold and would cause me intense pain for days afterwards. At the time I didnt know I had EDS - my chiropractor knew there was something wrong but had no clue what. In the end I had to call it a day.

I am always suspicious of someone who claims they can cure any illness the medical profession is yet to fully understand. But thats my opinion.

Rach

[jenglynn]

Rach,

I think that's my problem. He has never seen nor reviewed my records. He has only spoken to a friend of mine that most likely has to struggle to remember what my symptoms. But when I spoke to him and he said he does not believe in DX- only healthy or unhealthy- for someone in my position - just not quite sure- I felt like he was a total quack, I DO have DX, serious ones, I wish I didn't but I do. I'm a little nervous to let someone who discounts them so easily. I won't go into them all, but I have a yet defined autoimmune disease which is attacking my weak autonomic system- now I have Autoimune Mediated autonomic dysfunction neuropathy. Along with that-.EDS, I have have post concussion syndrome- after 10+ concussions. I will stop there but my list is a mile long.

It almost seems dangerous to see someone who doesn't take them seriously. Ugh. But no one has helped but I am registered in Milwaukee and Dr. Chilemsky us very I interested in seeing me, I wrote a LONG "Poor Me" letter telling him about my treatments, all the failures, all of the syncope, bed bound since early November. At least I used to be to be able to crawl -but now my syncope is no better crawling and I have BAD knees from an accident as a teenager- ALL my ligaments were severed (EDS???) and they could not repair it completely because of the stretchiness of my tendons and ligaments- so lots of screws and my joints come out of socket every day. Ortho says while I'm in bed I should have 2 knee replacements- everyone says are you crazy?

I am thinking about leaning AWAY from chiro. It sounds like he does gentle adjustments with a small tool and would in and out in 5 min. If my house. Seemed odd.

Jen

[Dizzysillyak]

Hi Jen,

You really seem to be struggling with this. Realistically, what do you have to lose by seeing this doctor ?

You're going to have control over what he does right ? I mean if he's only going to try light stimulation on you, is there any possible harm ? I'm not up on this but I'm sure others are. FWIW tho .. I had it done for years and it was totally useless and harmless. But I had ataxia and other nuero problems from gluten. There wasn't anything that was going to counteract that ...

Your situation may be difficult for traditional doctors to deal with but not holistic. Just look at how many people here have gone to the specialized clinics and been disappointed with the outcome. These doctors appear to be stumped if they can't prescribe a med ... I stumped at least 6 neurologists, Mayo included, with my neuro problems and they were all from gluten ... duh !!!

I'm just started learning this myself when I was 50. That was almost 7 years ago. I'll never know what allowing my body to be totally disabled and unable to walk did to me for 16 1/2 years. But I'm sure it's not helping me now ...

I only trusted traditional doctors until I learned how food or other toxins could be causing so many of my symptoms. NOW I only go to a traditional doctor if my integrative (both MD and holistic) refers me to one. And believe it or not, my traditional doctors want to know what my integrative doctor thinks too.

FWIW .. I agree he sounds a little wacky. I doubt he can cure you within a month either. BUT, you'll never know unless you see him. I'd at the very least arange an in person consult with him and your hubby to see what he has to say.

hth ... d

ps. I get what he means when he says healthy or not. Our bodies react to toxins based on genetics, nutritional deficiencies, pathogens, etc .. HOW each person reacts (what we call a diagnsosis) is independent of the CAUSE ...

It's the CAUSE that he's going for ...

[klgpdx]

I am in a similar situation. I met this chiropractor that "cured" my friend from all pain. I told him what was going on with me and said he has helped other people with heart conditions. His philosophy is that modern medicine doesn't have a place for real "healers" so they all have to be underground (so I hear you on the iffiness and quack factor!). And he is not a typical chiro. He does one hour of structural integration massage followed by adjustments. I went once a week for four months and honestly, I did notice a significant drop in my heart rate. But I felt like I was spending way too much money for something that wasn't certain and I felt like it was never going to end. Since my stress level is at an all time high I couldn't take it anymore. That said... if he were to work with me for free I would say YES YES YES because I did feel at least a little better. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[jenglynn]

I guess he is just afraid he could HURT me if he is messing around with my neck and eventually other joints.

I know I seem very ungrateful - he's offering me free treatment and I'm questioning everything. If he could cure me in a month I will eat my iPad- but he wants me to see me every single day and I'm just unsure with some of the severity of my symptoms- messing around with my neck. That's why I posted! I want to hear all opinions- even the ones who think I'm the quack!

[MomtoGiuliana]

I don't think you are being ungrateful. Personally, I would be skeptical. However I might consider meeting with him. I would be careful about any manipulation he wants to do unless he really seems to understand EDS--and even then it would concern me. Again, my opinion, I would consult with the neurologist before taking any supplements he recommends. I don't know of chiropractors curing autonomic dysfunction. If this were true I think it would be much more widely known, or studied in medical journals.

[sue1234]

I wouldn't let anyone touch my joints or do any manipulation, but I wouldn't mind meeting him just to hear what he thinks, nutrient-wise.

[Birdlady]

If I had this opportunity, I'd go just for the free adjustments. lol I can't say it's help with POTS, but it does feel nice to have no neck and back pain even if it's just temporary. I'm actually shocked some of you are afraid of or have never been to a chiropractor before! Even as a kid, I'd mess my neck up in phys ed or doing something stupid and have to go once or twice a year. I am usually sore 1-2 days later and then my neck and back feels amazing.

[yogini]

When I first got sick, some well meaning friends were really insistent that I MUST see such and such doctor. After going to several of these docs, none of them helped and it was a total waste of time and energy. I had to learn to set my boundaries. POTS is very specific and not easy to treat even by really smart docs that can almost cure everything else. Regardless of how kind the offer, definitely don't accept any treatment that you dont understand or are not comfortable with.

Edited May 22, 2012 by yogini

[Anoj]

pOTS is very specific and not easy to treat even by really smart docs that can almost cure everything else. Regardless of how kind the offer, definitely don't accept any treatment that you dont understamd or are not comfortable with.

this. the fact that jen you are even asking probably means you are not comfortable with this? i agree with the above statement. it's hard enough to get the appropriate "specialists" to treat you properly or understand. it's funny, i went into GNC earlier for something and the guy behind the counter swore i needed to talk to his friend about my problems because he knows a lot. i had to chuckle.

on the other hand, my aunt swears by holistic medicine. she sees a holistic chiro and sends her daughter (who has POTS). she swears it is helping her daughter. however, this chiro is very well-versed in holistic medicine, so it seems like unique way to approach medicine. i tend to go with gut responses in these types of situations.