If you have been evaluated by a spine doctor, then seeing a chiropractor for symptom control is reasonable, and safe too. But, I certainly would not go for chiropractic without a physician's referral. The reason is that you need to be sure there is no danger of nerve trauma by spinal manipulation.

I haven't been to a chiropractor, but have done acupuncture and physical therapy for neck and lumbar radiculopathy. I have severe spinal stenosis from my inflammatory arthritis. But, until I had an MRI, I didn't know what was going on in there. The main thing was learning how to alter how I do things to avoid irritating those affected nerve roots.

Jan

Thanks Jan, so what kind of doctor is a spine doctor? Ortho? Honestly, I would much rather go to a real medical doctor! The whole adjustment thing scared me before. Now I am terrified!

Hi Itsnotsherry,
I have been going to chiropractors, osteopaths and kinesiologists pretty much my whole life (since age 7)...firstly for scoliosis and then for the rest...a chiro can do wonders but it is not a be it all to end it all...you have to do the work too...once you have been evaluated by your Rhumy or other back specialist who really does need to clear you for chiropractic then you can choose one who works with both skeleton and organs/muscles...Some even do acupuncture in their office too...
My U.S. chiro helps me greatly for the sacroiliac but he can't fix it, he just makes it more bearable for a while...he can relieve the severe pain due to 'maladjustments' (like after packing suitcases and flying home). I have rarely met anyone who has gone just once and was cured (I have probably payed for a couple of swimming pools for mine)...I have also had some negative experiences with one who did not understand the intimate complications of certain pouchers...he was working on my organs through deep tissue/organ massage (very painful at first but when done right can do wonders)when he pushed too hard...and pushed right through the muscle tissue...herniated me. So you need to speak up, explain your personal issues and make sure that you say stop, if something feels wrong to you or makes you or your pouch uncomfortable...
I have learned to do a lot of exercises in between sessions (weekly) to maintain some of the positive effects...I lay flat on a silcon ball (the size of a soccer ball)...moving it around the painful zones like my lower back, hips and pelvis and slowly working my way up with it, allowing my body weight to put enough pressure to ease the knots in the muscles and the pain in the joints (I have even managed to crack a few joints that my chiro couldn't reach that way)...if I do it after a workout then I get even better results...my chiro shows me which movements to do and how to do them, also certain reinforcing exercises and strengthening movements.
It is worth the try in my opinion.
Sharon

If you have not been evaluated at all, start with your primary doc, who will refer you to a spine doc, if necessary. Generally, they are the guys in ortho/rehab/industrial medicine. They are ortho docs, with a special interest in the spine and physiatry (physical medicine). Sometimes they are osteopaths (D.O.). But, you just don't want to have a spinal adjustment when you have nerve pain, until you know what the diagnosis is.

Generally, chiro is pretty safe, but some guys are better than others, just like anything.

Jan

I went to a physiatist who my PCP referred me to. He specializes in non-surgical spinal pain. I have left hip problems plus some scoliosis issues. He works with a chiropractor who is very good, not just manipulations which she says is not good but other treatments that are more traditionally medical doctor stuff. I would suggest seeing a spinal pain doctor and ask if he would recommend a chiropractor if that seems appropriate. My doctor and chiropractor work together.

It seems I have arthritis in my hip and not sciatic nerve issues. They gave me a shot of cortisone in the hip joint, but 5 days later, still no relief! It is the exact opposite side from my ileostomy. This makes me nervous. Could something about my anatomy be causing the pain?

It can take up to ten days Or longer for intra-articular steroid injrctions to have a full effect. Plus, they don't always work. I've had those injections in my wrists, elbows, knees, and shoulders. Sometime they are useful. Sometimes not. If inflammmation is not a main component causing the pain, it won't have as much of an effect.

Either way, it is not like an instant pain relief, other than the short-lived numbing from the anestheic that is mixed with the steroid. Ideally, it improves enough after a few days that you can begin to move the joint better. Then, over time things gradually improve.

Since they've pinned it down as arthritis, I would not worry about it being related to your ileostomy, or elsewhere in your gut. Arthritis does not go away in a few days in mst cases. Generally, you have to learn to deal with it, stretch, and stay active. If you faor the joint too much, you can lose range of motion.

Jan

Itsnotsherry,
It would seem normal that it is on the opposite side of the ileo..we tend to compensate with the oposite side of whatever hurts to help us feel relief...
My right hip hurts terribly and my left knee doesn't like it at all (neither does my left ankle)...my problem is sacrolilitis until further tests...and just like for the arthritis you must keep those joints well oiled...walking, swimming, climbing stairs or hills or and repetitive movements that keep the circulation going...I always feel so much better after an hour of physical activity...like Jan says, stretching helps a lot too and you need to give your body so good nutrition (glucosamine and condriton help some people too)...here they tell me not to get shots because for the little they help, they hurt more afterwards...not sure if it is true but that is what my GP tells me...for now it is anti-inflamatories for me (because I can) and exercise (and a diet!)
Sharon