Chiropractor for Fibro?

Hi Alb.  Just a personal view but I would not consider a chiropractic for fibro pain.  Chiro can be of use for muscular strains, trapped nerves, lumbar issues etc., but I can't see it would be of any use whatsoever for pain syndrome which isn't a result of injury and so forth.  I did see an osteopath some time ago in the hope they would help and they actually advised me not to have them do anything as it could inflame the pain more and they refunded me the appointment cost.  

I agree that the chiro really cannot do much for muscle pains and aches. I do believe there is some ways they can help. For example, I work a full time job and I type all day. I have the most ergonomic set up but still everytime I sit at my desk my back just feels like someone kicked me. My posture is also not aligned. We dont have as many pain receptors in our spinal cords as people would think with as much as a back can hurt but even being the slighest out of alignment can put a great deal of strain on your muscles. I have been going to chiro for about 6 years and only have had fibro for about 2 I think. I know before the fibro the adjustments did me a lot more good. A lot of my neck pain and back pain is greatly reduced by going to a chiro though, which with all the other horrendous symptoms it makes life a little bit better for me. Your spine is your support system so if it is not healthy a lot can feel wrong. That being said if it is expensive for you I am not sure I would do it. My insurance covers 20 visits a year but with as bad as my back is due to my job I have to go more than that. I dont have any spare money with all my health problems so I explained to my chiro. We did a treatment plan where they took what my insurance would cover and what I would have to pay and spread it out over a 3 month payment plan. We are in so much pain it is hard to know what would provide relief but it did do something for me. He really got my clicking jaw back into alignment as well and my headaches WAYYYY decreased. Anyways this may not be much help but I wanted to let you know my experience and the benefits. My treatment plan is $190 a month which seems really steep but I used my flex pay for pre-tax money for a large portion of it and the relief I am getting is worth the cost because I can hardly concentrate when my back is bothering me. I know it is my desk too because all weekend I am pretty much ok. Get to work and BAM within twenty minutes I am wiggling and in so much pain. The 2 months of chiro on this plan so far has greatly decresed that. Before in the last six years I only had to go once every other month and I was good. My back would start hurting and I would go in for an adjustment and then I would be fine, couple months later it would hurt I would go back. That was very cost effective. I guess it would just depend on how much treatment you needed. When I have hurt my arm or hips all it takes is one adjustment and I am back to normal. 

Hi Alba90 I would seek advice before having any treatments, as it could cause you even more pain and more harm than good. I am going to look into haveing a massage but will find out 1st from the person Im thinking of doing it what her advice is as some treatments need different ways of doing it for our condition if that makes sense. take care gentle hugs xx

Ok so I have seen An osteopath, various ones actually and they always make me worse. I've spent the last 8 weeks in private physio for my neck pain in a desperate bid to get some relief and where I was having the odd good day I am now back in constant pain with my neck, it's unrelenting and this week I will be telling him I won't be coming back any more. He did low level laser therapy initially the moved on to, acupuncture and did manipulation twice.

I'm sorry to say I feel it's a waste of money and they can make things worse. I'm a bit sensitive perhaps to being fiddled with but I wouldn't risk it.

I would suggest reflexology if u feel u need to do something , I had it once, felt like poop all day after but they day after that I felt good for a few days. I really don't think the reflexology helped my symptoms and it was probably a coinsedense I felt better but it was a pleasant non dangerous experience none the less.

We don't know the cause of fibro so stick

With non risky things. Unfortunately acupuncture hasn't helped me personally.

I am also unmedicated, tried a few things and am now considering cymbalta as per new pain clinic suggestion, I take prescription strength cocodomal and diazepam only when desperate but If I could time travel back to 7yrs ago I think i would tell myself to try the drugs they offered me when symptoms weren't so bad and maybe things wouldn't have progressed as they have. It may have not made a difference but my son has never known me not in discomfort or pain which I hate and if I could have a do over I would of tried meds first to get a handle on things.

Good luck

Hi Alb

Yes, many years ago. Had many sessions but the relief was only short term.  At the time I did not know I had fibro as only diagnosed Aug 2014 and had sessions with my chiropractor in 1999/2000.

Sorry can't help with any further advice.

Hope you get the answers you need on this forum.  x

Hiya, I have been to a chiropractor and it was the worse thing I had ever done. Don't get me wrong they were only trying to help, but ended up making me 10 times worse. I did go to a trained Oesteopath, but the lady who I was lucky to find treated me by a method called Cranial Sacrial Therapy. I have to be honest if I had not expereinced the treatment or results myself it would have been difficult for me to believe it was possible, but it was. I don't know if you can find someone in your area that does this kind of treatment, but if you can, it is the only treatment I would recommend to anyone.  

I would agree firmly that Chiropractor isn't really the dun thing for Fibro.  Manipulating bones etc with our condition ... it's not the answer.  The only pratical  thing a Chiropractor can do is 'Massage'..  but then person with good massaging skills can do the very same thing.  I used to massage my friend when I could.  She had Rheumatoid and Fibro..  I would massage her back, neck, shoulders, arms, hand and fingers. Even stretching out pulling gently on her fingers.  Sometimes to I would gently massage under her chin and up into the sides of her face.

She swore by my massages as she'd experienced a few professionals and others in town, even the physio's attempts and they were rotten, as far as she was concerned.  They didn't have the overall ability to work with the gentle flow affect that a good massage is.. Relaxing the muscles and relaxing the brain basically almost hypnotising the brain to fall asleep..  That's a good massage!!

She'd sleep for hours and would feel fantastic for days, and would be sleep to.  A massage for her every 3 weeks normally.  Ocassionally twice in a fortnight, depending on how badly she succumbed to a flare up from doing to much. lol...

I am not a massuase I only know by what I appreciate by experience of having a good massage years ago and knowing how my body feels and knowing what it needs.  She was in the same situation physically, so I was able to reflect and combine my awareness to relay that into a good massage.  Hope that makes sense.

It used to cripple my hands and upper torso but it was worth it to see her in 'bliss land and free to sleep'... and better able for days after.

She used to feel terrible that she could not do the same for me.  She couldn't because her hands were clawed with Rhuemy.

However, I used to be able to go just past her place to the heated pools and float, stretch and do basic simple exercises, it was wonderful and it helped me with my pain levels.  Sadly now I cannot run my car anymore, not able to work now and on a dole.  I am unable to walk that distance and get away with it, especially carrying my bag!!   tsk ...   

My friend past away a year and a half ago.. I was gutted. She was my real friend and 'Pain buddy'...  She was only 56 yrs old and looked only 40 yrs..she was Italian from Australia.  

I have digressed (splg?).  GO find a really good massause...  even one that may come to your home. If you have to explain the type of hand movements and pressure, do so... A good massause should know.  Also not every massage should be a hard pressure, sometimes just a light massage is required.  Let them know as they are working if it feels to soft or to hard, they cannot feel the pressure you feel in your muscles at the time, so let them know.  Bless ya cotton socks....  I'd so love a really good massage.  Really helps to get the blood flowing and some tension out...   :-)

Hi Alb,

This could be totally irrelevant but I have been using Chropractic for a very long time, and the same one since 1979.  He has kept me more or less sane and I'm afraid that Osteopaths just don't do it for me.

However, that is not completely the point.  I am currently suffering Radiation Fibrosis, which is probably different from what the rest of you are going through.  In this instance it is through the back of the tongue and jaw making eating difficult and I sound permanently drunk when talking (I would probably sound better were I drunk - but I don't drink....)  Anyway, Chiropractic is helping me considerably.  OK, my neck probably needs a little adjustment, but the rest is deep massage into the masseter muscles, under the tongue, and down the front of the 'forward' muscles in the neck.  No, it isn't very comfortable but at least it makes things more pliable for a while and keeps the tissue soft. I can currently do my tongue exercises without too much pain!  And my ENT Consultant is very pro Chiropractic.  Works for me.

Alb90,

I visited a Chirop.many years ago for Magraines. Cannot really recall if it

helped.However,sometimes the muscles are so sore it feels good to rub and

feel the hurt,other times its so bad you don't want to be touched in that spot.

But I think its worth trying.