Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Chiropractic and RA

nomorera
nomorera
I have gone back to my chiropractor for some mid-back issues I have had for a very long time. I haven't seen him since my RA dianosis 16 months ago. While there he adjusted my knees and feet which have been causing me all kinds of problems. That was on Monday. On Tuesday I could walk down stairs with relatively little discomfort (that's the first time in close to a year). I went back yesterday and today I feel great too. I have been to the gym twice this week and worked out 30 minutes each time with no numbness or burning in my feet (I also started on Gabapentin last week). I am so happy.
Has anyone else had good results with Chiropractic as part of their healthcare team? I am also going in for my monthly massage on Saturday.
Comments anyone?
bcatz
bcatz
Prior to my diagnosis, I saw a chiro for a year. He used ART on me - active release therapy for my carpal tunnel. (which I now know was RA). He also helped a ton with my hips.

Again, I had NO IDEA I had RA. I left his care feeling good but within 6mos, the carpal tunnel returned (duh, it was RA inflammation) so I had surgery on both hands. (that was in 2009). Got dx with RA in early 2011.

I think going to a WELL SKILLED chiro who you find benefit from immediate like that is great! Remember, RA doesn't just attack the joints. It attacks synovial fluid so that could be in many locals.

Are you getting heat or cold applied? That too can help while there. For me, the applied heat and then hip adjustment was amazing!
ILoveHuskies
ILoveHuskies
That's great you are feeling better. I'm happy for you. When you get the right meds and the right treatments it can make a world of difference in how you feel with RA Are you still taking MTX?
nomorera
nomorera
bcatz, I am using heat therapy and so it the chiro. I would like to find another chiro that has more experience and training working with RA patients. Mine does not, but I am a cash patient. My ins doesn't cover chiro care. I am concerned about any adjustments to my neck with the RA.
aggie83
aggie83
I've been seeing my chiro for 15 years. Right now my left hip keeps popping out of joint and is very painful. She got me started on stretching my hip flexors, but it is so painful.

I really recommend chiro and would suggest looking for one who specializes in athletic injuries as they realize best how all the muscle pull on things and create inflammation.

Any hip advice greatly appreciated as Maine is very painful. Icing it right now!
deleted_user
deleted_user
i see a chiropractor as needed - i started seeing one a little over a year ago after a concussion and my neck/shoulder was all messed up. it really helped my injury, and so now i go back every once in a while when i'm really tense. i do have them stay away from the joints that are bothering me a lot at the time because i don't want them to get irritated.