I went to a chiropractor for years but then the time came that he could no longer adjust my neck... He stated he might do more harm then good... He too was a wonderful person... Then I started massages and loved them but now I just put up with the pain... from the fibro and RA....

Went to the bone bender 3 times 1) to get bent 2) to pay 3) turn in my warranty claim, got my money back and left.

Does that count as a positive experience ?

Be well All

Bluedogs2

just another two cents to the 'don't bother' side.

one of my girlfriends used to go to a chiropractor regularly. she had a misalignment of something and it helped her tremendously. having said that, chiropractors work with bones - they adjust and crack and realign. if any of your pain is due to RA, it would most likely be inflammation - a chiro probably wouldn't help.

i would highly recommend therapeutic massage. it's not currently in my budget (i REALLY need this job to hurry up and come through) but dh and i used to get monthly massages. and even though it was only once a month, the difference was totally noticeable. my husband has mild scoliosis and stands most of the day at work. we were both in a couple of car accidents and have each had 4 or 5 herniated discs. massage really helps us feel better, and it's a whole body thing.

i believe the most healing thing about massage is the actual act of touch. it's a very personal thing to have another person touch you, but if you find a good masseuse that you like, it's a very nice feeling to have someone else taking care of you. plus the mere warming of the skin and friction from the massage increase blood flow to parts of the body. if your masseuse focuses on trouble spots, the increased blood flow should promote healing and pain relief.

You make a good point stephgas. The "touching" is in itself a personal extension and the receiving is a "gratitude"

Very good point indeed as I look at things from the perspective I choose

Be well and Peace

Bluedogs2

Ros gave excellent advice. Before any chiro it's best to know there's no actual damage in the neck.
Now I've been to a couple over the yrs. one put me out of commission & one was way a head of any doctor diagnosing the condition my spine was in.
Believe it or not what he told me it took over 2 yrs for any medical doctor to DX.
There are different techniques used now. No way would I ever let any one manipulate my spine but there's a tool they use that did help some as did the TENS unit which you can purchase now days.
I'm on the massage side. Get the muscles relaxed & circulation going.
I have a friend who goes every other week & swears by them.
Her Back problems are under control with the right massage therapist.
I'm such a mess I'm afraid to let anyone touch me.
Neck, back, muscle & nerve damage with RA & Sjogren's to top it off.
The only one I trust at the time is a good PT. In fact the only part of physical therapy I looked forward to was the massage.
To bad insurance doesn't cover massage therapy I do think it would really help most people with chronic pain.
I can dream.
Sammy

I was sent to one by Worker's Comp for my back...he did a "maneuver"..it hurt so bad I screamed...they heard me in the reception area...I personally would see a massage therapist before going to a bone-crusher...they are dangerous in my book!

I am on the side of he anti chiropractors in this situation. Can you talk to a dr you trust about it? I note you have been feeling better so in my opinion very likely ra on its rounds and moving on as it does.

Chiropractors dont have as long a training as osteopaths or physios. I would always choose a physio before the other two as here they train in the universities and are often people who didnt quite make the marks for doctors (which here is a sliding scale - ie top x get in so depends on the year and how high the others score.....)

I agree with the comment about bonding with the person who massages you. I did massage training when doing some alternative health courses and we were warned about the importance of not transferring or picking up ourselves the pain and other negative energies from clients. I cant find a massage person who I feel good with currently.

Before i had RA i used to gooff and on for about 20 years simetimes i saw him 2 times a week for a month and then stopped for a year or so. I didnt like the neck adjustment then and i wouldnt go now with RA everywhere. I did like the back electrodes and hot compresses for my back. The adjustments however i think made my back worse somtimes. I do Yoga when im not in alot if pain. Helps the back more than manipulation in my opinion.

I have had great experiences with the Chiropractor. However the one I use now uses a tool to manipulate you not the traditional twisting and turning. I had an unpleasant experience with that type of manipulation a few years back. I hope this helps.
Hugs,
Jan

By the way a good chiro will xray you and check your spine by hand before doing ANY manipulation to you.

I've gone to my video for over ten years. She knows all about RA and OA. She has given me great advice and helped me a lot.

She suggested dry sauna, which i started doing at the gym. She is helping me getting back to walking and light jogging.

I can't function without my chiro and massage therapist. I don't see these therapies as luxuries but as necessities in helping me function with RA.

I was married to one and they are great for certain issues.

I have the same issue that you describe and I'm going to give you a link that might change your life and save you money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2AbdKCC8ec

Do what this guy describes exactly and you will feel/experience amazing results.

good luck :))

I have had a couple chiropractors and both were very positive experiences. Several years back I had a whip lash from a car collision, I had 10 weeks of physical therapy without success. One trip to the chiropractor and all was back in place.

The chiropractor I am seeing now treats my lumbar and thoracic areas. He uses the activator and a drop table to realign my spine. I would not be able to function without his treatments. These areas are easily seen by x-rays and I hope to avoid having surgeries with the chiropractic help.

Because the chiropractic treatments are not as widely accepted by the health community, lots of practitioners are more leery of lawsuits and litigation. If you are upfront with your RA diagnosis they are more able to let you know if it is advisable to be treated. Many have x-ray equipment to help this assessment.

I would recommend that you seek a consultation and go with your instincts.

Love my chiro. I'm having to let her help me figure out what is RA or OA pain.she's very informative

My GP and Rhuemy told me that any good chiropractor will not touch
a person with RA. I would have x-rays first to make sure there is not an existing problem that is more involved. A massage is helpful by a good massage therapist!

It's your choice, but please be cautious!!