Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Chiropractor

(I also posted on the alternative therapy forum)

Has anyone had any success with a Chiropractor? The last time I went he did more damage than good as he used the table to pull my legs from my hips.

Needless to say... it took him a very painful 20 minutes to put me back together again and I have never been back.

I'm wondering is massage therapy would be a good alternative, but I just know I am going to have difficulties laying flat on the table without significant pain.

Anyone have any suggestions?

May the roof above us never fall in, and the many friends gathered below it never fall out. - Irish Blessing

Hi,
There are instances of people doing well with a chiropractor for AS, but generally speaking it is not a recommended therapy for our condition.

Physiotherapy is a much beter option, and yes, massage gives temporary relief from spasming muscles that have clenched up too tightly in an effort to try and protect painful joints.

Hope this helps a little,

  Loz

"When feelings run deep, impartiality can seem like bias" Lord Reith

Hi Maxine,

I have read in several places never to let a chiropracter touch your back if you have AS. I have never had any success with them myself. Always made it worse. I tried massage and it made it worse as well. I' ll be interested to see what suggestions you get because I have tried everything from chiro, massage, accupuncture (30 times), physio, heat (jaccuzzie), recki, you name it I've tried it and so far nothing has worked. So this NSD is my last try. How is it going for you. It is not an easy thing to do. But whenever I start caving in to some starch food I look on this website and read the success stories and am convinced if they can do it so can I. So take care.

Deborah

See, now here is a perfect example of what works for one, doesn't work for everyone.

I go to a chiro every week and a half. She uses some little gizmo to do any adjustments on me so that I don't get the torquing and pressure on spine caused by regular adjustments. But mainly, what she does is mobilize my spine to depths that I cannot achieve alone. She's even offerred to teach Stephen to do it so that I can have it done at home too. She also mobilizes my shoulders and hips. Not to mention the fact that she's the one who initially dx'd me and got me to go to the doctor so I could be tested for AS.

I also do massage therapy, and the two work together quite well. My chiro and my MT are in the same office, so they can compare notes and keep one another apprised of danger spots or progress or the like.

So, there you are.

Hugs,

Kat

Hi,

I went to a Chiropractor for years, and only got very temporary relief. My Ortho surgeon says that he did more harm than good, but I can't say for sure. It sometimes seems to me that every practitioner wants his little "piece of the pie," if you know what I mean.

Since my pain problems (mainly) center around my neck, massage also works for me, but it is also a temporary solution at best.

Good luck!

Andy

---

It only hurts when I laugh.
Too bad I find life so funny...

Maxine
I first had a massage when a friends daughter was taking classes.. Originally they did it in a special chair but found that the table would adjust sufficiently to use that.. I highly recommend it and still go about every two weeks... By letting myself be used as a practice dummy at the school I am able to get a one hour session for $10... Might want to see if there is a school near you as they are always looking for "victims".. The advantage is that you get the teachers watching over you also and is good practice for the students...
Mike

Hi Maxine; I went to a choirpractor for 2 years, It didn't do any more damage but didn't help much either. Sorry not much help there.

Hi,
Well back in 1987 I went to one, and he helped my neck alot. But when he tried to align my back he broke two of my ribs. I really would not suggest going to one. With A.S. our bones are very brittle and can break easy. You may even find a few that will tell you up front that they won't touch an A.S. sufferer. I know I did back then. Even though my neck has gotten very painful and stiff, I still stay away from the chiro's for fear they will break my neck.

Phill

I agree 100% with Kat.

My chiropractor has been instrumental in my initial diagnosis and does a wonderful job of recommending specific exercises I can do to counter the effects of AS. It's because of my chiropractor that I got into regular cardio exercising, weight training, supplementation, massage therapy and daily stretching and spa use. I agree that rather than condemning an entire profession, it's better to accept the fact that what may work for some, may not work for others. In my case, seeing a chiropractor is the best thing I could have done.

Tom

I'm with Kat and Tom, my chiro is a godsend! She uses an air table like this one, , and it is fabulous! She does not torque me at all, and best of all, she keeps me standing straight! This is extremely important to me! I do go weekly for adjustments, and if I miss a week, I am looking for spare change on the sidewalks! Besides, Chiropractors know more about AS than any medical quack out there! Like any treatment, when you find something great, no matter what it is, and if it helps, use it!


Standing straight and tall most of the week, I am.........

Doug