brissybee

That's a rather sweeping generalization Sparty, but if you are expressing a view that you would avoid dentists like the plague I respect your right to avoid whatever you like. Personally, I would just avoid chiropractors like the plague. But that's just what I would do. I wouldn't say all chiropractors are crap. Though, in my opinion, they might be.

itigo

For my joint condition, chiros are no good - too 'thrusting'. I can't do stretching as that is part of my condition - I already stretch too far. I have seen an osteopath to get some pain reduction. I have to admit, I am a huge sceptic but he has changed something in my back. And all it feels like he's doing is sitting there with his hands still, under my back. I do lie there adding up how much he must make a day and wonder if I should become an osteopath........

He's only done manipulation once, but gentler than a chiro. He also picked up an injury I hadn't told him about. Bizarre, don't get it, but glad I am getting some benefit............just thought I'd throw that one in as everyone is advising on different treatments!

PamE

Exactly what I hoped to find when searching "frozen shoulder"! I have forked out many $$ now...to GP ("nothing can be done"); physio (made it much worse); osteo (cannot help until inflamation gone which is difficult if not impossible to achieve as cannot rest it or take drugs due to 11mo daughter)..next step is acupuncture about which I have been very sceptical, but now I'm desperate - your post gives me hope! Cheers!

Reedy

My 16 year old daughter has disc problems in her lumbar region affecting 3 discs... She had a prolapsed disc and 2 protruding discs and now has disc dessication (i.e. no fluid in her discs). She sees a specialist and neuro physio who have told her that she needs to build up her core muscles in her stomach and her back to stabilise her spine... To do this they have recommended gentle walking i.e. where you can still hold a conversation whilst walking, swimming and also using an exercise bike. Not road cycling though as the posture is different and also the jarring action could cause more injury.

The advice was to build up exercise and that she would find it painful but hopefully would feel the benefit after a few weeks. With the exercise bike she has been advised to sit in front of the TV and watch a program and only exercise when the adverts are on - to prevent her from overdoing it.....

She has also been told about a specialist form of pilates called McKenzie Therapy that may be beneficial.

She has seen a number of specialists and they have all told me that they refer to physios as they study more conventional techniques however they say to be aware of going to either physios or chiros without having x-rays and a diagnosis as they are not qualified to diagnose only treat.....

Not sure if that helps any with a bad back but if you are in pain and it lasts longer than a few days - start with the GP even if they can't really help as they are the people who need to send you for scans and refer to specialists if needed.

Other advice we have been given is to manage the pain using regular paracetamol (as in every 4-6 hours) rather than trying to reduce the pain when it becomes chronic... My daughter has a variety of pain relief including the tens machine (which she finds fantastic - but not for all! If you have insurance and a Dr recommends one you can claim 100% rebate), paracetamol, ibuprofen and then for pain that is chronic Panedine Forte and Endone (which is opiate based so not recommended for regular use)...

Good luck to all you out there suffering - I know how miserable it can be....

Reedy

In case you are interested the info on McKenzie Therapy http://www.mckenziemdt.org/

and tens http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcu...ve_stimulation

I forgot to say that my daughter also has spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal) and when she gets flare up she has problems with nerve compression affecting her legs and feet.... This is when she finds the tens machine particularly useful.... (Her machine cost $130)

donna

i have a lot of what ur daughter has and after years of problems and treatment ,some with temp relief,i am now down to have back surgery,and in fairness i cant wait.jazzy,what did the xray say? and it may be worth getting an MRI done to give u a better idea of what is going on.Good luck x

Reedy

They won't consider operating on my daughter until either her spine collapses or she is 'middle-aged'... The consultant says that at 16 the risks outweigh the benefits....

So she has to try to live with and manage the condition which is made more problematic by a congenital defect i.e. retrolethesis where she has one vertebrae out of alignment which is probably the root of all the other issues...

Good luck for your surgery

donna

poor bugger ,i really feel for her.