Chiropractor or Osteopath

[Barmaid]

After years of using computers my arm is becoming extremely painful. Years ago I was diagnosed with WRULD. Now the pain goes right from my finger tips into my neck. The last two nights I have barely slept.

Clearly I need to see someone, I'm not one for pills so I was thinking a chiropractor or osteopath - but which would be best?!

[jno]

I would suggest osteopathy. Chiropractors work mostly on the spine; osteopaths do more soft-tissue work elsewhere in the body, which sounds like what you need (though I'm not any sort of specialist).

[eash]

I asked a similar question a few months back:

http://www.theanswerb...l/Question878490.html

Hope it helps :-)

[Mosaic]

Some chiropractors are great, others not so good. having experienced similar pain, I have found watchhing my posture carefully when using computers, and varying the input devices - mouse, roller-ball mouse, graphic pad - help to reduce the pain caused by over-gripping a conventional mouse.

[LoftyLottie]

I have a lot of praise for osteopaths, but get some recommendations. As jno has said Osteopaths do a lot of soft tissue work and in my experience are much gentler.

[LoftyLottie]

We have an excellent physio team connected to our local GP centre, Barmaid. I have recently had some brilliant treatment from a physio (on the NHS) who has also recommended excercises and given me ultrasound treatment. It may be worth seeing your GP before you fork out any money.

[chirpychirpy]

seeing as you're a barmaid, are you sure it's computer use which is responsible.

Now what would Harry Hill (a former doctor, let's not forget)'s response to your question be?

FIGHT!!!!!!!

[meglet]

Chiropractic practitioners practice alternative medicine and make all manner of wild claims such as the claim that they can cure asthma, colic and other complaints by manipulating the spine. Poppycock in my opinion. (Check out eminent scientist Simon Singh's recent high court battle with The Chiropractic Association).

Osteopathy all the way.

[237SJ]

I`ve tried chiropract and osteo and personally I prefer osteo. I paid £38 per session for chiro a few years ago for a problem with my secrum and it didn`t really do anything. I`ve had problems in the neck/shoulder area and osteopathy has helped though.

[Barmaid]

Thanks all. Seeing an osteo tomorrow.

lol at Chirpy. Yes, trust me, it is computer use - haven't pulled a pint for about 20 years!!

[carlton23]

Do you have a proper chair with back support and are your arms at the proper height, ie: a L shape to the keyboard, and a wrist rest?

[Barmaid]

Well just been to see the osteo. She was very nice and very thorough and although I feel a bit strange now I think it has helped.

[jno]

adjustments sometimes take a day or three to work their way through your system, Barmaid, so be patient.

One of the drawbacks about osteos is they're all completely different; with GPs it's 'She's got A so I'll prescribe B' but osteos don't think 'She's got A so I'll do B' - some of them will do anything from B to Z. So it's possible that some will have more success with you than others. If one gives you treatment that doesn't seem to be taking effect after, say, a few weeks you could try another.