Hello! Has anyone had experiences with chiropractic care?

Emma95

Hi, my name is Emma, I’m 24 (25 in November) I have mild CP. I haven’t posted on here for a few years, so wanted to reintroduce myself as I’m about to begin a PhD in Sociology in October, focussing on experiences of CP, and I’ve always found the forums on here very useful for learning about people’s experiences. It would be nice to get to know people who have had similar experience to my own, as I live in rural area, I’ve never managed to do this!

I’m also wondering, if anyone has had experiences with chiropractic care? I’m considering it as an option, as my pain is increasing and my balance is getting worse, so I’m wondering if a chiropractor could help me better maintain my posture and walking ability etc. Thank you in advance, and my apologies if this should have been posted elsewhere, I’ll happily remove and repost if needed ?. 

janer1967

Hi and welcome back great to see you and good luck with your study 

I have used a chiropractor for a back injury not for CP but they were amazing but not really able to advise for your condition 

Maybe speak to one and get their input I will also tag in our CP expert which may help 

@Richard_Scope can you advise here 

Emma95

Hi, thank you! 

Glad to hear it’s helped with your back injury, no worries, thank you for your advice. 

Brilliant thank you very much!

Richard_Scope

Hi @Emma95
Great to meet you again! I live with quad CP and there are lots of other folks on here with a wealth of experience in CP in all its various forms. Congratulations on starting your PhD the more research into our disability the better.
I'm really interested to know why you are considering a chiropractor to help you with your balance, is this something that has been suggested by your G.P.?
The best way to preserve your mobility is by staying as active as possible. Doing things like swimming is excellent because it is low impact on your knees and ankles. Strength training is also very beneficial for people with CP. Do you have regular physiotherapy at all?

Emma95

Hi Richard, thank you, thank you for your reply. I’m looking forward to getting more involved on here! Thank you, yes it’s definitely needed. To be honest I’m lost with how to help myself so with  balance it was an idea I had, maybe hoping that a chiropractor could help with things overall, but as I say I’m not sure where is the best place to turn or whether this would be the case. 

Thank you for your advice, I am going to look into swimming once things become clearer with Covid-19, as my mum is part of the group that were required to shield, so I’m trying to be as careful as possible. Thank you for reminding me about strength training and physio - I’ve spoken to my GP recently who has referred me back to the neuro physios, but at the time it was uncertain when such clinics will be open again. I’ll chase this up! 

Thanks again for your advice. 

Richard_Scope

Neuro-physio is the best place to start. Chiropractors deal with skeletal issues primarily. Is your balance the main change in your CP?

Tori_Scope

Welcome back to the community @Emma95 Good luck with your PhD! 

Scottyboy

Hi Emma95. I too have mild CP. I've also tried a chiropractor in the last couple of years and Richard is right, I doubt if they will have a great impact as they didn't for me. I also have balance issues but walk unaided. Born v premature.  Still coming to terms with it all tbh as its effected everything, despite me trying to ignore it. Still...wow on the PhD...that sounds great!. I'm currently re-training and doing a housing management diploma having done a degree many moons ago  . what experiences are you looking for?

Emma95

Richard_Scope said:

Neuro-physio is the best place to start. Chiropractors deal with skeletal issues primarily. Is your balance the main change in your CP?

Thanks Richard, good to know. I’d say it’s one of my main symptoms. My pain has increased and I seem to be tripping more easily, I’m trying to get used to the idea of using a walking stick, at least when I’m tired, to try and stop this. 

Emma95

Tori_Scope said:

Welcome back to the community @Emma95 Good luck with your PhD! 

Thank you so much Tori, people seem so kind on here, it’s lovely to get this support. Hope you’re keeping well. 

Emma95

Scottyboy said:

Hi Emma95. I too have mild CP. I've also tried a chiropractor in the last couple of years and Richard is right, I doubt if they will have a great impact as they didn't for me. I also have balance issues but walk unaided. Born v premature.  Still coming to terms with it all tbh as its effected everything, despite me trying to ignore it. Still...wow on the PhD...that sounds great!. I'm currently re-training and doing a housing management diploma having done a degree many moons ago  . what experiences are you looking for?

Hi! Ah right, I’m glad I’ve asked for advice then before pursing it! I’m sorry to hear about your balance issues, it can be so difficult, I too walk unaided, and completely understand wanting to ignore changes in your CP/body so you’re not alone there, if that helps at all. Thank you so much! I’m looking forward to it! That sounds brilliant. What did you do your degree in? At the moment it’s quite vague, but I think it will be anyone aged 18+  that was given a ‘mild’ diagnosis of CP. I say ‘mild’ in that way because I’m starting to realise how differently the same diagnosis can manifest for people! 

chiarieds

Hi @Emma95 - Firstly, I do hope your studies go well, as I agree with Richard that any further research into CP is both welcome, &, as you say, needed.

I'm coming at this from a totally different angle, & with prejudice, but I hope I can give a balanced view. I worked as a physio with children with CP a long time ago. So I'm a physio, & will always have some bias, & recommend this. What seems evident, is that people with CP often benefited from physio as children, but there's little research as to what, if any treatment, adults with CP receive, & there's therefore a lack of continuity.

I did look into chiropractors, & this is what the NHS site says: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chiropractic/

All the issues you mention such as pain, posture, & balance problems, a neurophysio should be able to address. I appreciate that due to Covid-19, all these things are taking so much longer than normal, which is an issue.

Perhaps like yourself, I also take issue with the word 'mild;' you either have a disorder, or you don't, & it will likely have an impact on your life.

Scottyboy

Hi @Emma95. Well my story might be a little unusual I'm not sure. I've grown up struggling with mobility and a scissor gait etc, struggling in school with PE and knowing I couldn't do certain activities, but sadly nobody in my family addressed it or talked to me about it. So I've kind of had to 'discover' my CP without much support later in life. Its affected every part of my life massively. I recently discovered the book 'Celebral Palsy' by IIana Estelle, and much of her story echoes my own.. A good read, I Recommend.
I studied Criminology at Uni as I love all the true crime stuff etc, and went on to do CSI work for a few years in the Police but left due to bullying and the gruesome nature of the work. As the old saying goes..everyone's got a story and a book in them 

WestHam06

Hi @Emma95, 
                        How are you? Firstly, welcome to the community and thank you for joining us. Secondly, congratulations on your PhD and absolutely any further research in to CP is both welcome and needed. I too, have CP, so if there is anything you would like to ask, then please do and I'm happy to try to answer as best I can. I hope you are able to get access to the support you need soon with regard to the pain and balance issues you mention, that can't be easy and I imagine must be a little frustrating. Thank you.  

Emma95

chiarieds said:

Hi @Emma95 - Firstly, I do hope your studies go well, as I agree with Richard that any further research into CP is both welcome, &, as you say, needed.

I'm coming at this from a totally different angle, & with prejudice, but I hope I can give a balanced view. I worked as a physio with children with CP a long time ago. So I'm a physio, & will always have some bias, & recommend this. What seems evident, is that people with CP often benefited from physio as children, but there's little research as to what, if any treatment, adults with CP receive, & there's therefore a lack of continuity.

I did look into chiropractors, & this is what the NHS site says: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chiropractic/

All the issues you mention such as pain, posture, & balance problems, a neurophysio should be able to address. I appreciate that due to Covid-19, all these things are taking so much longer than normal, which is an issue.

Perhaps like yourself, I also take issue with the word 'mild;' you either have a disorder, or you don't, & it will likely have an impact on your life.

Hi chiarieds, thank you so much, yes, I’m seeing more and more how needed it is! I really appreciate your perspective, and I definitely agree with the lack of continuity, research concerning adults is relatively tiny compared to childhood studies. Although I completely understand this is necessary, it often feels like, for me anyway, that you are forgotten as an adult with CP (or even in some cases post 16!).  hadn’t thought of it specifically in terms of physio, but it is such a crucial part of CP treatment, so thank you for pointing this out. Thank you so much for looking into chiropractors, I’ll be sure to give this a read tonight. Yes, I think it’s going to be a longer wait than usual, but I’m hoping it will be worth it. Frustratingly, I was under a neuro physio, but they discharged me saying I was ‘too complicated’ but as my symptoms now seem worse, I’m hoping they can help with it. Exactly, I only wish more people outside of the CP world could appreciate the impact it can have! Many thanks again for your reply, I very much appreciate it. 

Emma95

Scottyboy said:

Hi @Emma95. Well my story might be a little unusual I'm not sure. I've grown up struggling with mobility and a scissor gait etc, struggling in school with PE and knowing I couldn't do certain activities, but sadly nobody in my family addressed it or talked to me about it. So I've kind of had to 'discover' my CP without much support later in life. Its affected every part of my life massively. I recently discovered the book 'Celebral Palsy' by IIana Estelle, and much of her story echoes my own.. A good read, I Recommend.
I studied Criminology at Uni as I love all the true crime stuff etc, and went on to do CSI work for a few years in the Police but left due to bullying and the gruesome nature of the work. As the old saying goes..everyone's got a story and a book in them 

Hi Scottyboy, I’m sorry to hear of your struggles, CP can be difficult enough, never mind trying to manage it without support. This is why support forums such as those on Scope are so important, although not the same, they hopefully help you feel less alone. Thank you so much for the book recommendation, I’ll definitely be looking into reading it. Criminology has always sounded so interesting, I’m sorry about the CSI, that sounds horrible. I’m glad you’re out of there now if it’s like that. Thanks again for your help. 

Emma95

WestHam06 said:

Hi @Emma95, 
                        How are you? Firstly, welcome to the community and thank you for joining us. Secondly, congratulations on your PhD and absolutely any further research in to CP is both welcome and needed. I too, have CP, so if there is anything you would like to ask, then please do and I'm happy to try to answer as best I can. I hope you are able to get access to the support you need soon with regard to the pain and balance issues you mention, that can't be easy and I imagine must be a little frustrating. Thank you.  

Hi WestHam06, 

I’m okay thank you, how are you? Thank you for your kind welcome! Thank you so much, I really appreciate all this support and congratulations. I will definitely have questions as my PhD progresses so thank you for the offer, I’ll be speaking to my supervisor soon, so I’ll hopefully have  better sense of direction with it, so if it’s okay with you and everyone, I’ll be back in contact ASAP when I know more. That’s so kind thank you, I appreciate your understanding, it really helps you feel less alone with it all! 

Richard_Scope

Unfortunately, CP in adults wasn't really considered by medical professionals and physiotherapists, even though there are roughly 130,000 adults in England and Wales. The oldest person I have worked with is 98! 
Two years ago I/Scope worked with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (Nice) on guidelines for Adults with CP and the CP Care Pathway all G.P. on England should be well aware of these pieces of work by now and the referral pathways. Sadly, I have heard that people still have to fight to access services but I will keep shouting about the pathway from the roof tops!!

Emma95

It is so unfortunate, as people with CP can clearly live long and fulfilling lives! Do you know if these guidelines are available to view? I think they would be useful to read. I and many others will really appreciate the work you do and the voice you give to people. 

Richard_Scope

Hi @Emma95

Yes, they are:
NICE Guidelines
and 
CP Care Pathways
There are lots of tips  in our CP Discussion thread. We also have CP information pages on the Scope website. if there is anyting else you would like to know about our impairment, please ask

Emma95

Brilliant thank you so much, you’ve been a great help!