Alternative Medicine

[BlondeCurlGirl]

For the last three years, I have struggled off and on with some very painful tendonitis in both of my wrists, which has progressively turned into tennis elbow and I fear is slowly turning into the dreaded carpal tunnel syndrome.

After 3 rounds of occupational and physical therapy for my wrists, there isn't a whole lot left for me to try in terms of pain relief and muscle strengthening other than keeping up with my prescribed exercises, which frankly I cannot do on the days when my wrists are too sore.

Has anyone tried any of the methods of non-traditional medicine (i.e. accupuncture, massage, chiropractic or whatever) and found it to be successful?

Any stories/suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Lilith]

I know people with chronic pain ( one was trying to survive prostate cancer that had turned to his bones), that swear by accupuncture. I have had some experience with rolfing...which feels horrid/ wonderful but makes me deathly ill after, from the dump of lactic acid and frankly turns me into a worthless puddle for a day or two. Feels great after though.

I once had a fairly non traditional medical treatment where a muscle/ muscles are repeatedly injected, like hundreds of tiny jabs with a syringe filled with a medicine like novacaine. It worked wonders. I was in a millitary hospital at the time but have heard some pain clinics are doing it.

[PantyFanatic]

I do believe that the body is also a mechanical mechanism and responds to more than just chemicals. I’ve had good results with chiropractic gyrations when needed over the years. I even made a trip to Chinatown with a specific back problem one time and was pleased with some “accupressure” treatments.

[LixyChick]

From what you are saying BCG......and knowing that you are very young........my best medical advice (no...I'm not a doctor but I play one on Pixies) is to tell you to stop doing whatever it is that has caused a lambkin (young person) such as yourself to exacerbate the tendonitis to the point of carpal tunnel syndrome.

I know your pain hun! There was a time back in "97" when I honestly thought that cutting my hand off at the wrist with an axe would have been less painful than to endure another day of said pain! Repeated motion is the cause of what you've discribed and my being a seamstress, I do some REALLY repetitive work.

Could it be all the writing you've been doing at school? I'm trying to think of what it is that could have caused this for you. Don't divulge anything in the self pleasure department....lol.....and if it's personal then don't mind me....but try and isolate what the cause could be and change the method in which you do it or eliminate it all together! Do the therapist's have you squeezing that rubber ball? Ouch! I hated that! I still have problems....but I made a change back in late "97" and there are only a few days when I can say I feel as though I am going to seek that axe and do the deed!

I hope you can get help before you get as bad as me!

Best of luck hun! *hugs*

[Bardog]

I have had good result for my back problems with chiropractic treatments. As a matter of fact it helped me lots more than any pain killers or muscle relaxers that regular doctors gave me. To me it makes more sence to treat the problem than to treat the symptoms with drugs.

When my step dad was in the marines in Viet Nam he broke his neck which has hurt him ever since. He gets more relief from accupuncture treatments than any thing else he has tried. This includes 2 nerve blocks in his neck.

Hope you find something effective for your wrists. Life is no fun when you are in constant pain.

[lakritze]

Ask your doctor about Glocosamine (sp).It is good for strengthening cartlege and bones.It is available without a prescription.