Does chiropractic help the pain of Adhesive Arachnoiditis?

by A Reed
(Oshkosh, Wi., USA)

I have a diagnosis of Adhesive Arachnoiditis from a neurosurgeon at a major university. The diagnosis was based on a CT Myelogram performed at an hospital. I have pain with walking and standing which is helped with a walker and pain medication but the pain is still bad enough that I can't take care of my apartment or myself. I still walk with a walker, but standing still with a walker, walking more than 1/10 of a mile, grocery or any shopping will cause pain if not immediately by the next day. I am incontinent, have problems with my body regulating it's temperature (break out in a sweat), Raynaud's, RA, etc.. Do you think chiropractic will help me?

I take it you've had surgery to your lower back; it's an inflammation that is set up deep in the nerve roots.

Frankly it's a difficult situation for any doctor, chiropractor or surgeon, and I can't promise you that chiropractic would help. If you can find someone very experienced and you are patient then there's a good chance some gentle treatment would help. Often there a complicating fixation in the sacroiliac joint that if carefully released can help the whole situation resolve.

I would use an icepack on your back twice a day followed by a hot shower or hotwater bottle. Don't get in the bath.

And do some gentle lower back exercises before getting out of bed, and several times a day. Even every hour. You'll find them in the navigation bar at Chiropractic Help. Lie down for short periods after the exercises.

I wish I could be more promising; if you can find the right person you have a reasonable chance of relief from pain, but not a 'cure'.

Avoid the vacuum cleaner.

Good luck, and let me know how you get on.

Dr B

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