Anyone have success w/ chiro & yoga for arthritis?

[BusyMom2Three]

To make a long story short, I've had some back, knee, and leg issues on one side for a couple of years now. My internist did some tests (inc back x-rays) and says I have a trapped nerve in my lower back and "some arthritis" there that is causing the leg issues, so she is sending me to a chiro and also rec'd a slow flow, rehabilitative-type yoga class.

I am worried about our Disney trip in 2 months because my knee and lower back will randomly get really sore and the knee will make me limp and I will feel like I've pulled a muscle in my back and leg. Sad part is I am a healthy eater, ideal weight, and only in my 30s (internist said my 3 big babies did a number on my frame).

Has anyone had success w/ chiro and/or yoga w/ these kind of arthritic issues before and how soon after seeing the chiro did you see results? Mine is not considered severe. It is in the beginning stages, and I'm hoping w/ various methods to halt the progression (it does run in my fam). Any other tips about keeping pain-free at Disney would be great, too!

Thanks for any info!

 

[disfan07]

I am 22 and have been having some major problems with my joints (knees, hands, shoulders, back) for a couple of years. We are not sure what it is (the tests are always inconclusive) but it's pretty bad.

I personally won't go to a chiro. 1) I can't have anything done to my upper body (including most of my spine) because of a craniotomy 2) I personally don't really trust them (but thats JMO)

However, I do yoga 2x week and pilates (low impact) 1x week. It is a miracle for me. The weeks I don't have time to go to yoga, I am in so much pain and so miserable.

If I can't make it to the gym for yoga class (i'm a college student...i dont always have time) I always try to do stretches at home.

I did start with PT at first because my internist wanted to make sure that I got the most appropriate stretches adn exercises to do at home. It was only two 90 minute Pt sessions but those stretches have been wonderful.

I would definitely recommend yoga. Just be smart about it and don't push yourself beyond what you can handle. My yoga instructor is wonderful about that.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I don't have arthritis yet (early arthritis is common with my main diagnosis), but I do have joint problems. I'm another person who is nervous about chiro stuff, but I also have neck problems so for me that's a real risk. Another thing to look into which is more gentle is osteopathic manipulation, but it's generally not covered by insurance (although chiropractic isn't often either).

I'm not going to address the yoga because I have the opposite problem of having too much range of motion in most of my joints.

For WDW I would suggest renting an ECV. Even if you have some improvement in pain from the chiro and yoga, you're not going to be doing at least the chiro at WDW and people walk huge amounts in the park. Some ride lines are over a 1/4 of a mile long, not to mention all the walking for everything else. Most people walk about 6-10 miles a day at WDW. If you feel up to it, you can always drive the ECV to sections of the parks, park the ECV, and then walk through the attractions, otherwise you will be able to either take the ECV through lines or the attraction will have a wheelchair you can use to go through the line if it can't handle an ECV (assuming you have someone to push you because the WDW wheelchairs are heavy). Either way, why try to push through rather than having the ECV so you put less stress on your joints so less pain and more fun!

 

[BusyMom2Three]

Fortunately (?) my issues are confined to my very lower back, and my internist said the chiro is the most effective way to treat a specific prob I'm having where my misalignment has trapped a nerve in my lower left side, causing nerve pain in my leg as well.

I have always believed in chiropractic care (I know several people who've had amazing results) but like you both, I was always nervous about it because someone unqualified could do more damage than good, so I've held off going for years. But my internist said she has been referring patients to this chiro for many years with great results and no problems, so I am actually more excited than nervous about it now! My insurance does cover it, luckily.

I am going to check into that ostepathico manipulation. Thanks for all the input! I used to do yoga in college too (when I had core strength lol), but that was years ago, so I am like a beginner to it now but I am excited at the prospect of improvement!

 

[JennyDrake]

Not the same issues as you but arthritis in knees and major back issues from scoliosis and slipped discs. I had always been told to never go to a chiro, but when sciatic nerve pain hit, I was ready to try a witch doctor! CHiro has done great things for my back, but pilates and yoga have been a salvation--especially pilates. Yoga, you want to look for hatha vinyassa "style" as it is more about movement and less about meditation and mantras.

 

[BusyMom2Three]

Yes, I am def wanting more of a physically rehabilitative yoga than a meditative one. I am so happy to hear everyone's success w/ yoga and pilates! I am looking forward to being fit again! I know someone who runs her own fitness center and has worked a lot with both sports rehab and PT of all types (she has even gotten some people's insurance to cover private PT sessions with her). She offers one on one sessions for a reasonable price and the 1st one is free, so I am considering seeing what she has to say (she also teaches pilates as one of her classes!).

 

[utterrandomness]

I know this is an old thread, but I have been finding acupuncture an amazing treatment for what is basically pre-arthritis in my knee. It increases blood flow to the area and I find that it actually leaves me pain free (for days at a time). When it comes to yoga, my physio says she only recommends it for people who aren't the type to push themselves too hard.