A Different Kind Of Doctor

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I don't know if I should post this here or under "Post-diagnosis and recovery."

This is something I've only just found out while trying to learn about how to heal a torn rotator cuff without surgery, but I think it could have a lot of benefit for people on this board with joint pain, so please move this post to wherever it will do the most good!

There are actually several different kinds of doctors in our medical system who DO believe in healing and improving muscle, tendons, and joints, etc., without surgery.

1)There are physiatrists. They are MD's--they are like orthopedists, but they don't do surgery. Some of them call themselves "Doctors of Sports Medecine," and some call themselves "Rehab doctors." They either do physical therapy or oversee physical therapists.

2) There are osteopaths. (I don't know much about them but have heard that they are more sensible than regular M.D.'s)

3)There are chiropractors. Gotta be careful here--there are some that truly work miracles (I've seen one), but there are also total quacks out there (I've seen one of these, too).

I never heard of physiatrists before. I don't think orthopedists like to admit that physiatrists exist--it would probably cut into their surgical profits too much.

Anyway, the reason I mention it is that after I had my arm in a sling for a month, I couldn't move it. The orthopedist recommended surgery, of course. Turns out, this is what happens when you don't move your arm for a month, and I'm in physical therapy now, and I am improving, but it's slow progress--it's going to take a few more months to get back to normal, I think. But I got to thinking about many of you who have mentioned fibromyalgia, being in wheelchairs, etc., and I thought that maybe a physiatrist might know something helpful for you. I know the problem was caused by gluten, but going off gluten might not be enough to get your muscles and joints back.

Both the physiatrist that I talked to about my shoulder and my chiropractor have told me, for example, that orthopedists do surgery all the time on patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractors fix this all the time simply by manipulating the ligament so that it's not hitting the nerve. Easy and painless. (I'm not clear on whether or not physiatrist and physical therapists fix this, too, or if they send people to the chiropratctor.)

And the exercises I'mdoing in physical therapy (about 90 minutes of exercises at home on my own twice a day, plus a couple of hours with tthe therapist 3 times a week) certainly are bit uncomfortable, but my pain is steadily decreasing and my range of motion and strength are just as steadily increasing.

I was just thinking that if you guys are in pain, you're probably not moving. And if you're not moving, then you're losing mobility and strength--and that leads to more pain.

Maybe a physiatrist or physical therapist could help? Or an osteopath or a chiropractor? If your Primary Care Provider doesn't want to write a referral, maybe you could say, "Look, I know you don't like dealing with me, so write the referral and then you won't have to deal with me any more!" Or maybe you could go directly to your insurance company and explain that they would save money if you could get help to get moving again, and then you wouldn't need them to pay for so many pain meds.

If you don't have insurance, if you can just get a referral to a physical therapist, they often make arrangements for greatly reduced fees on a pay-as-you-go schedule. (Depending on the state you're in, they might need the referral to start treatment.) If you can't get your doctor to do the referral, call the physical therapy office and ask them to recommend a PCP who will write a referral.

Sorry this is such a long post--I hope it helps someone!