QuestionWhat in generally can a Chiroprator do for me reagrding joint pain. I am on Rituxan and have Rheumatologist that I visit quarterly. But I would liek to know if there are treatments like heat treatments, massage or ???, where a Chiropractor has the skills to relief pain, thanks Barb
AnswerHello Barb Rathoff,
First, let me apologize for the time it has taken to answer you. My computer at home is Dead,,, my computer at the office is 'fritzing out'. I have started this answer a half a dozen times, only to have the computer freeze, or literally shut down! I like to give loooong answers, I try to give a lot of information, so computer problems really frustrate me.
Next,
Sorry to hear of your Rheumatoid Arthritis and joint pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a difficult, complicated, tricky problem.
I would not recommend strenuous activities, I would not recommend 'standard', 'common' Chiropractic adjustment-- unless you were symptom free-- and probably not then either.
Chiropractic can be of help to you. Again, not the common public perception chiropractic- the 'snap- crackle- pop' type of osseous manipulation, but conservative chiropractic.
Chiropractic is 'conservative' to begin with. Within chiropractic there are the even more conservative techniques as well as the traditional 'snap- crackle- pop' approaches. just as a Medical Doctor has a choice of many different medicines, many different approaches; so too- a Doctor of Chiropractic has many different techniques, many approaches.
Your RA should respond favorably to low-force, or non-force manipulative techniques such as Activator Technique, and/or SOT technique. Before scheduling an appointment with a doctor, I would call the office and ask the chiropractic techniques utilized in that office.
Along with the low-force techniques, adjunctive physiotherapy such as infrasound, ultrasound, electrical muscle stim, interferential, hot or cold therapy could be useful.
Your Doctor of Chiropractic should also seek to decrease inflammation in your body through nutrition. Certain supplements could be helpful. In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I often recommend all/ some of the following, depending upon the patient:
----------Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the synovial tissue (the membranes around the joints that secrete lubricating fluid to allow bones to move easily against each other). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own tissue and causes the joints to become swollen, tender and possibly deformed. Women are most often affected (3:1 ratio) and the disease usually begins between 20 and 50 years of age. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any part of the body, including the heart, lungs and eyes and is a very debilitating disease. It is a chronic disease, but it can have flare-ups where symptoms are more intense, and then can be followed with periods of remission.
----------Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have been shown to be deficient in essential fatty acids. Clinical trials show that black currant seed oil (omega-6 fatty acids (GLA)) inhibits the cytokines that cause the inflammation of arthritis. Fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) has a much stronger clinical success in RA and many double-blind trials have shown that rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improve with fish oil supplementation.
----------Nutrients to help repair the gastrointestinal lining may be beneficial. A healthy intestinal lining will prevent environmental toxins from crossing the intestinal barrier into the system. These nutrients include glutamine, N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), larch arabinogalactan and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).
----------Systemic detoxification nutrients including multi-vitamin/mineral support, conjugating agents, antioxidants, herbs and nutrients to cleanse the liver are suggested.
----------Proteolytic enzymes (ie. Bromelain) are antiinflammatory and have been shown to decrease swelling and improve joint mobility. **********
----------Betaine HCl may decrease food allergy reactions and improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
----------Glucosamine sulfate can be helpful in regenerating connective tissue.
----------Antioxidants are free radical scavengers that may be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis.
----------Copper in the serum and in the joints is increased in rheumatoid arthritis, but decreased in the liver. Copper supplementation has been shown to be beneficial for inflammation. Copper bracelets have been historically used as a remedy for arthritis patients.
----------In a New England study, green lipped mussel was shown to be beneficial for severe osteoarthritis patients who did not respond to medication. It may also be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis.
----------New research indicates that vitamin D can be therapeutic for rheumatoid arthritis.
----------linical trials show that vitamin B-6 reduces the inflammatory cytokines involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
----------Cetylmyristoleate (CMO? has been found to be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis.
----------MSM, in clinical observations, has been shown to be helpful in reducing the pain in RA patients.
----------Boswellia, turmeric, nettle, ginger and devil's claw have all shown great promise in relieving the symptoms of arthritis.
----------Horsetail has an anti-arthritic action and strengthens connective tissue.
----------Burdock has been used historically to treat painful joints.
----------Valerian is antispasmodic and has a sedative effect.
----------A detoxification program is beneficial - eliminating immune complexes from the joints can reduce inflammation triggers.
----------Stress reduction is essential.
----------Proper diet is important.
----------Avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.
----------It is important to avoid allergy foods. An elimination/rotation diet is recommended. Wheat, legumes and dairy products are the main culprits. Avoid environmental toxins as much as possible.
-----------Maintain normal weight to avoid added weight bearing stress on the joints.
----------Supplemental cod liver oil may be helpful to decrease inflammation. Fish is high in vitamin D, which has shown success in treating RA.
----------Drink AT LEAST 8 eight ounce glasses of pure water per day.
----------A half pound of fresh cherries or blueberries per day may be beneficial. They contain proanthocyanidins that aid in collagen metabolism and decrease joint inflammation.
----------Juicing is good. Ginger added to the juice is beneficial as an anti-inflammatory agent.
You have probably heard all of this before, if you have, I just encourage you to 'do the right thing' and build health.
My Staten Island Rheumatoid Arthritis patients get the above recommendations, as well as this info hand-out sheet:
HOMEOSTASIS
"Homeostasis" is the ability of a system to maintain itself.
Every Biology or Chemistry student knows the term 慼omeostasis?
The human body, given no interference, with proper input, is a homeostatic system. The human body can maintain itself as a healthy organism given proper input, proper support. Place stress on the system, have improper input, and the system becomes less efficient, goes 憃ut of balance? and eventually breaks down.
揌omeostasis? starts in our tiny cells!- yes, our cells maintain homeostasis. Our cells make up our tissues- our tissues have a certain BALANCE- our tissues endeavor to maintain homeostasis. Tissues build into an Organ- a heart, lung, intestine; yes even our organs have a homeostatic balance. Finally, these organs build into a body- US, you, me! Our Body has a homeostatic balance. Out of balance = out of health.
Homeostasis- for our body to thrive, rather than just survive, needs proper input: proper rest, exercise, diet, vitamins, water, clean air, and efficiently running cells, tissues, organs, systems. Any improper input or inefficiency will reduce homeostasis, reduce efficiency and eventually lead to a breakdown of the entire system.
All of our cells, tissues, organs have particular 'enemies'. For instance our diet could cause heart disease or high blood pressure: eating a poor diet leads to an inefficiency which ultimately leads to a breakdown in the system (our body).
Our nervous system also has an 'enemy' to homeostasis and efficient performance: the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC). Improve efficiency, improve health by combating VSC!
Build health, improve health, 'do the right thing'; i.e.; eat correctly, take supplements as needed, proper rest, exercise, and keep your body working at improved efficiency- i.e.; chiropractic to remove nerve interference.
Building Heath- a history:
What ? ! , I have to brush my teeth!?,,, after EVERY meal ! ? ,,,,, For the REST of my life ! ? ! ... I don抰 want to. period. I won抰. To heck with it ! If I get a hole (cavity), THEN I抣l take care of it. Maybe I won抰 get any cavities anyway?.
It took the American Dental Association YEARS to educate people that they should brush frequently to avoid dental disease. It has taken YEARS to educate patients that visits to the Dentist for hygiene, cleanings, flossing, coatings, etc. are necessary to PREVENT dental problems. Some people still do not floss after every meal, some do not even brush often enough (yyyuuukkkk), so some people still have severe dental problems despite all the knowledge about PREVENTION and dental health maintenance that is out there. Can you believe it ?? !!
Some people have the same problem with PREVENTATIVE Spinal Health
that used to exist with preventative dental health. Some people come to the Doctor of Chiropractic and say, ?..do not adjust me, just give me therapy...? some people say,
?..What ? ! , I have to practice SPINAL HYGIENE !?!, (practice proper postures, proper movement patterns, and see the Chiropractor periodically !?!), Naahh, ... I don抰
want to. period. I won抰. To heck with it! When I get PAIN, then I抣l take care of it.
( pain is often the LAST symptom to appear- whether a cavity or a heart attack ! )
Nerve Interference- decreases your body's efficiency, decreases homeostasis, decreases health:
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?(nerve interference)
The vertebral subluxation complex can be the underlying cause of many healthcare problems. A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This (Subluxation) is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology, Neuropathophysiology, Myopathology, Histopathology, Pathophysiology.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, massage, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms.
ONLY a Doctor of Chiropractic evaluates for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, as well as other pathologies.
Chiropractic corrects the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Chiropractic helps restore HOMEOSTASIS to the body. Chiropractic helps restore homeostatic balance to your nervous system--- the MASTER Control system.
You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you have a Subluxation. You cannot be 慼ealthy?if you are out of balance. You MAY feel it, with a pain, stiffness, or a 慿ink?in your neck/ back. You may NOT even feel it-
just as people often do not feel the cavity growing in their tooth,,,, until it hits the nerve; or you may not feel it at all, like people do not feel high blood pressure or diabetes until AFTER damage has been done!! PREVENTION- Visit the Doctor of Chiropractic REGULARLY,,, just like your dentist! (practice spinal hygiene as you do dental hygiene) -PREVENTION!-
Build health, build balance, help your body maintain homeostasis! Practice good spinal hygiene, just as you practice god dental hygiene. See your Doctor of Chiropractic for a preventive regimen of chiropractic, rather than waiting for pain or a problem ?wherever that pain/ problem/ condition may be expressed in your body.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine
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I hope this information and encouragement helps you.
RA is difficult, but by doing the 'right thing'- building health- you can minimize the pain and damage of the disease.
If you would like, do not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com @
http://allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC-DACBSP.htm
Good Luck,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com
