lostgrrl
09-13-2004, 10:59 PM
:eek: Hi. I'm a 32 year old woman who was put on Fosomax for osteoporosis....I have bone loss because I've had lots of bouts of amenorrhea...My doctor has been trying to get me to take it for a long time - but I would take it for a few months and get such pains in my back that I stopped - but he convinced me to stay on it - so I've been on it since April 2004....but I started noticing that I was losing my hair a couple of months ago and now it's coming out a lot when I wash it especially - it's making me totally depressed - I don't know what is causing it - my iron & vitamin levels are ok (had a blood test recently) - Is anyone else experiencing this on Fosomax - it's scary!!!!!!!
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lind01
10-12-2004, 05:39 AM
:eek: Hi. I'm a 32 year old woman who was put on Fosomax for osteoporosis....I have bone loss because I've had lots of bouts of amenorrhea...My doctor has been trying to get me to take it for a long time - but I would take it for a few months and get such pains in my back that I stopped - but he convinced me to stay on it - so I've been on it since April 2004....but I started noticing that I was losing my hair a couple of months ago and now it's coming out a lot when I wash it especially - it's making me totally depressed - I don't know what is causing it - my iron & vitamin levels are ok (had a blood test recently) - Is anyone else experiencing this on Fosomax - it's scary!!!!!!!
lind01
10-12-2004, 05:55 AM
lostgrrl - According to Dr. John Lee and Dr. Mercola, Fosamax is a poison acid, the same substance folks use to remove soap scum from their bathtub. When you take it, it poisons the osteoclasts that purge your bones of dead cells to make room for the osteoblasts to create new cells. For several years, your bone density scans will show increased density because the dead bone is not being purged, but 4 years after you begin taking it, your bones are weaker than when you began. Unfortunately, there are many really bad side effects to this poison. Two women I know have had something like ministrokes or seizures - their doctors can't figure out exactly what, but they fall down in some sort of episode. They also gag easily, are confused in their minds and forgetful, have digestive problems and troubles with vision, all of which never occurred before they began taking Fosamax. One has agreed to stop taking it, the other says she won't stop unless her doctor says it's OK to stop!!! She hasn't yet learned that most doctors do not investigate meds - they just accept what the drug companies tell them, so you have to do your own homework. I expect that if you quit taking it and drink acidophilus milk and/or eat yogurt along with good exercise, you will not have continuing side effects and will be the healthier for it. Try it. Fosamax should not be on the market, and I suspect, like Vioxx, it will be removed. The same company (Merck) makes both, but Merck will want to make their billions off it first. Lindajo
dee54
10-14-2004, 11:57 PM
I thought I would be safer not taking Forteo and staying on Fosamax, but after reading this, is any drug safe??? After two weeks after I started taking Fosamax, I started seeing little black spots floating in front of my eyes. I went to the eye dr. and learned they are called "floaters" (real name posterior vitreous detachment). It's normally a condition caused from aging, but is it a coincidence I never had this problem until I started the Fosamax...hmmmmm????
yanra
11-18-2004, 12:15 AM
Where did you read that the Fosamax might be causing your hair loss? I'm curious. I'm losing my hair when I wash it too.
lostgrrl
11-21-2004, 06:46 AM
If you just put in Fosomax and hair loss in a google search there are various boards on the web that have women discussing this....however - to be honest - I have been off Fosomax for about 3 months and the hair loss is NOT stopping.....
snowmelts
12-08-2004, 04:31 AM
I have very very thick fast growing hair and believe me NONE of it has fallen out. In fact I'm a rather hairy old lady. :p
I do agree there are people who will have bad side effects and we are all diff. So maybe it does effect some people's hair. The fact that it does not effect mine is not proof of anything.
;)
I'm 57 and have osteoporosis in my spine (among other unhappy things). I started Fosamax last winter, January or Feburary. Took 4 months for the mean joint and muscle ache side effects to completely stay away. I did not enjoy the side effects at all. Felt like I had been run over by a Mack Truck those first couple months. I stuck it out and kept taking it because I have the unhappy constant reminder of seeing my 77 yr old mother completely and painfully bent from osteoporosis. It makes me highly aware I must do something to prevent the same thing happening to me. In the 4 months the side effects no longer appeared at all.
I have faithfully taken calcium and D suppliments for over 30 years trying hard to protect my bones.
I had no real bone problems while I took estrogens.. but those were proven dangerous..so I stopped, gave up the estrogen protection and a short 2 years later I have osteoporosis and some massive osteoarthritis problems. The estrogen protected me from bone loss and I am so sad I stopped but I understand the risk was too great to continue.
What I've read about Fosamx boils down to:
There are two existing types of bone cells we are concerned with in the discussion.
1. Osteoclasts (let's call these Chompers for the sake of clarity) that tear down old bone.
2. Osteoblasts ( let's call these builders for the sake of clarity) that build new bone.
In a baby, a child, a growing person.. the bones must grow , lengthen and be reshaped very fast adding length and form to our bodies.
Osteoblasts (builders) work like crazy building and reshapeing our bones.
Osteoclasts (chompers) tear down the older bone makeing way for this reshapeing.
At aproxamately age 30 the avg person is as tall as they will ever be.
Their bones are the strongest and thickest that they will ever be.
Then..
The (builders) begin to slow down and build slower..basically just filling in what the (chompers) tear down because our body does not require more height (bone length).
Since the (chompers) do NOT slow down it becomes harder and harder for the (builders) to keep up filling in the thinning spots.
The body begins to lose more bone density than it gains.
YES (builders) MUST have calcium, magnesium and Vita D in order to build bone. But if the (builders) have slown down too much with (chompers) still tearing down so very fast then all the calcium on earth won't help keep the bones thick. The bones will thin and this thinning when it reaches a point where bones can crack is called osteoporosis.
Fosamax does kill some (chompers), and this allows the (builders) a chance to keep up. Every Dr will tell you that you MUST take extra calcium and vita D with fosamax. After all if you are slowing/killing the (chompers) and giving the (builders) a change to maybe/hopefully keep up, then you have to provide the building blocks of calcium, D and magnesium that they need to do the building with.
NO meds are good for everyone. Someone will react. Some poeple have terrible effects from some things.
Aspirn can tear up your tummy. Tylenol can damage your liver. Visine eye drops contains boric acid and yet we put it in our eyes.
Floaters can occur any age. I had those decades ago when I'd have sinus infections or allergy attacks.
I have read that there have been "10 year studies" that have shown no lasting bad side effect from takeing the Fosamax.
The article I read said fosamax is not a permanent thing. It does not build up in your body. If you stop taking it then the (chompers) once again begin to multiply quickly and tear down so much so fast that the (builders) cannot keep up and your bones will once begin thinning. So basically you have to take Fosamax forever trying to control your bone thinning or at least untill something better is discovered.
If anyone has proof..solid proof.. of bad permanent problems from it I'd be very interested in knowing that information. I am aware it is a strong chemical. Not to be played with. the fact that one MUST stay upright for half hour after taking Fosamax or one will have problems is a scary fact. But at this point I am more scared of my osteoporosis than I am the Fosamax.
Like I said I am logical and if the med is proven too dangerous then I'd stop.
But I am so scared of haveing the horrid hump my mother has I'm taking my Fosamax till someone gets proof against it.
Gee, I've typed a book..better step off my soapbox now. I apologize if I stepped on any toes.
I do agree there are people who will have bad side effects and we are all diff. So maybe it does effect some people's hair. The fact that it does not effect mine is not proof of anything.
;)
I'm 57 and have osteoporosis in my spine (among other unhappy things). I started Fosamax last winter, January or Feburary. Took 4 months for the mean joint and muscle ache side effects to completely stay away. I did not enjoy the side effects at all. Felt like I had been run over by a Mack Truck those first couple months. I stuck it out and kept taking it because I have the unhappy constant reminder of seeing my 77 yr old mother completely and painfully bent from osteoporosis. It makes me highly aware I must do something to prevent the same thing happening to me. In the 4 months the side effects no longer appeared at all.
I have faithfully taken calcium and D suppliments for over 30 years trying hard to protect my bones.
I had no real bone problems while I took estrogens.. but those were proven dangerous..so I stopped, gave up the estrogen protection and a short 2 years later I have osteoporosis and some massive osteoarthritis problems. The estrogen protected me from bone loss and I am so sad I stopped but I understand the risk was too great to continue.
What I've read about Fosamx boils down to:
There are two existing types of bone cells we are concerned with in the discussion.
1. Osteoclasts (let's call these Chompers for the sake of clarity) that tear down old bone.
2. Osteoblasts ( let's call these builders for the sake of clarity) that build new bone.
In a baby, a child, a growing person.. the bones must grow , lengthen and be reshaped very fast adding length and form to our bodies.
Osteoblasts (builders) work like crazy building and reshapeing our bones.
Osteoclasts (chompers) tear down the older bone makeing way for this reshapeing.
At aproxamately age 30 the avg person is as tall as they will ever be.
Their bones are the strongest and thickest that they will ever be.
Then..
The (builders) begin to slow down and build slower..basically just filling in what the (chompers) tear down because our body does not require more height (bone length).
Since the (chompers) do NOT slow down it becomes harder and harder for the (builders) to keep up filling in the thinning spots.
The body begins to lose more bone density than it gains.
YES (builders) MUST have calcium, magnesium and Vita D in order to build bone. But if the (builders) have slown down too much with (chompers) still tearing down so very fast then all the calcium on earth won't help keep the bones thick. The bones will thin and this thinning when it reaches a point where bones can crack is called osteoporosis.
Fosamax does kill some (chompers), and this allows the (builders) a chance to keep up. Every Dr will tell you that you MUST take extra calcium and vita D with fosamax. After all if you are slowing/killing the (chompers) and giving the (builders) a change to maybe/hopefully keep up, then you have to provide the building blocks of calcium, D and magnesium that they need to do the building with.
NO meds are good for everyone. Someone will react. Some poeple have terrible effects from some things.
Aspirn can tear up your tummy. Tylenol can damage your liver. Visine eye drops contains boric acid and yet we put it in our eyes.
Floaters can occur any age. I had those decades ago when I'd have sinus infections or allergy attacks.
I have read that there have been "10 year studies" that have shown no lasting bad side effect from takeing the Fosamax.
The article I read said fosamax is not a permanent thing. It does not build up in your body. If you stop taking it then the (chompers) once again begin to multiply quickly and tear down so much so fast that the (builders) cannot keep up and your bones will once begin thinning. So basically you have to take Fosamax forever trying to control your bone thinning or at least untill something better is discovered.
If anyone has proof..solid proof.. of bad permanent problems from it I'd be very interested in knowing that information. I am aware it is a strong chemical. Not to be played with. the fact that one MUST stay upright for half hour after taking Fosamax or one will have problems is a scary fact. But at this point I am more scared of my osteoporosis than I am the Fosamax.
Like I said I am logical and if the med is proven too dangerous then I'd stop.
But I am so scared of haveing the horrid hump my mother has I'm taking my Fosamax till someone gets proof against it.
Gee, I've typed a book..better step off my soapbox now. I apologize if I stepped on any toes.
Ahnrey
12-24-2004, 02:48 AM
:confused: Dear Snowmelt, Thanks for your posting. I was beginning to feel like Fosamax was only increasing my prob., not helping it. I have only been on it a few months and was experiencing pain in my ankles and wrists that I had never had before. I was diagnosed with 'Premature menopasal Osteoporisis' and have lost 1-1/3" in height. I never suspected I even had the disease until I went to a Chiropractor with back pain. He took X-rays and discovered I had a compressed fracture of the L3 disc and thinning of the bones. I was sent for a Bone Density Test and Osteo was diagnosed. I had told my MD about the back pain and all she did was prescribe an Arthritis med, which I didn't take,thank God. As far as the hair loss goes, I have Thyroid prob. and lose hair from that, so I don't know what is causing it now, the Thyroid or the Osteo. or both. Is Fosamax suppose to make you experience pain in your bones? Does everybody feel this way when they first start it?
snowmelts
12-24-2004, 03:30 AM
Is Fosamax suppose to make you experience pain in your bones? Does everybody feel this way when they first start it?
Oh Ahnrey, don't you just hate the height loss? I do.
My adult son said "Mom, you are shinking"
And that made loud alarm bells go off in my head.
That's what prompted me to get a scan.
I've lost 1 3/4 inches, or at least that was last January's loss total. Haven't checked since then.
No, everyone does NOT experience the muscle and joint ache side effect. Only 4% of people have that unhappy experience. Sorry to hear you have it.
My Dr told me most people get the side effect of very bad heartburn and it lasts about 4 months. I'm greatful I didn't get that one, but my joints really really scremed the first few months I took Fasamax. Oh yeah, every bone seemed to hurt, especially my back. But now, not quite one year into it I feel none of those side effects from Fosamax. They all were gone at about 4 months.
I would like to know where to find this information posted above by lind01 about a 4 yr problem???
In a bone density scan they can tell you the reason for the specific bone density they see. Mine unhappily says my numbers are "Spuriously elevated" because I have so many spurs from the osteoArthritis in my spine. Even with the spur elevation counting I still came out -2.4
I have read another thread where they are spouting about some very rather drastic mean eye side effects. That scares me..but so far I don't think I have that problem. I've had Dry Eye syndrom for many many years and since it's winter and the house is closed with the dry heat on I'm pretty sure my dry eye problem is not worse than normal.
I am going to pay close attention to that.
I am not a health nut and I also am not a pill pusher.
I'm just a woman trying to stay in one piece. :rolleyes:
Both sides of the issue have valid points.
DEFINATELY pay attention to any body changes.. listen to your body.
But there generally is a 4 month side effect problem with Fosamax.
Oh Ahnrey, don't you just hate the height loss? I do.
My adult son said "Mom, you are shinking"
And that made loud alarm bells go off in my head.
That's what prompted me to get a scan.
I've lost 1 3/4 inches, or at least that was last January's loss total. Haven't checked since then.
No, everyone does NOT experience the muscle and joint ache side effect. Only 4% of people have that unhappy experience. Sorry to hear you have it.
My Dr told me most people get the side effect of very bad heartburn and it lasts about 4 months. I'm greatful I didn't get that one, but my joints really really scremed the first few months I took Fasamax. Oh yeah, every bone seemed to hurt, especially my back. But now, not quite one year into it I feel none of those side effects from Fosamax. They all were gone at about 4 months.
I would like to know where to find this information posted above by lind01 about a 4 yr problem???
In a bone density scan they can tell you the reason for the specific bone density they see. Mine unhappily says my numbers are "Spuriously elevated" because I have so many spurs from the osteoArthritis in my spine. Even with the spur elevation counting I still came out -2.4
I have read another thread where they are spouting about some very rather drastic mean eye side effects. That scares me..but so far I don't think I have that problem. I've had Dry Eye syndrom for many many years and since it's winter and the house is closed with the dry heat on I'm pretty sure my dry eye problem is not worse than normal.
I am going to pay close attention to that.
I am not a health nut and I also am not a pill pusher.
I'm just a woman trying to stay in one piece. :rolleyes:
Both sides of the issue have valid points.
DEFINATELY pay attention to any body changes.. listen to your body.
But there generally is a 4 month side effect problem with Fosamax.
Ahnrey
12-24-2004, 02:35 PM
Snowmelts, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I definitely hate the height loss. I was only 5'2'' to begin with and am now 1 ft. shorter than my husband!!!! My bone density scores were -3.00 in the spine and -3.08 at the neck. I also have a slight Dowager's Hump which really scares me. Guess I will just have to stick with the meds and see what happens. :rolleyes:
Tabbycat
06-05-2005, 01:07 PM
I am taking Actenol and have experienced rapid hair loss and the same problems with my eyes as stated by another inquirer. It would seem to me that both products are causing the same problems.
I researched Proctor and Gamble web site and find nothing that would indicate hair loss with these products but yet we are loosing our hair.
As of this week I have stopped my Actenol; I am increasing my dosage of Calcium and eating more foods that contain calcium. I will increase my weight bearing exercises and see what happens with my next bone scan.
I researched Proctor and Gamble web site and find nothing that would indicate hair loss with these products but yet we are loosing our hair.
As of this week I have stopped my Actenol; I am increasing my dosage of Calcium and eating more foods that contain calcium. I will increase my weight bearing exercises and see what happens with my next bone scan.
dipdallman
01-15-2008, 11:06 PM
I am taking Actenol and have experienced rapid hair loss and the same problems with my eyes as stated by another inquirer. It would seem to me that both products are causing the same problems.
I researched Proctor and Gamble web site and find nothing that would indicate hair loss with these products but yet we are loosing our hair.
As of this week I have stopped my Actenol; I am increasing my dosage of Calcium and eating more foods that contain calcium. I will increase my weight bearing exercises and see what happens with my next bone scan.
I researched Proctor and Gamble web site and find nothing that would indicate hair loss with these products but yet we are loosing our hair.
As of this week I have stopped my Actenol; I am increasing my dosage of Calcium and eating more foods that contain calcium. I will increase my weight bearing exercises and see what happens with my next bone scan.
dipdallman
01-15-2008, 11:08 PM
I have been taking Evista and have experienced the same problem with hair loss and other side effects. I stopped taking it two days ago.
snowmelts
01-15-2008, 11:37 PM
Me again :wave: It's been a few years since my last post above in this thread and I've still got a ton of hair.
I've turned 60 now.
I ended up stopping the Fosamax after taking it about a year.
Goodness how time flies, but this is an should remain a very useful thread.
I'll add my update as to how things have progressed.
My eyelid began to "tic" and move sideways...
I didn't even know an eyelid could move sideways!
VERY weird and it was constant. Drove me nuts!
I did see my eye specialist and he informed me my eyelid was actually trying to massage my dry eye to encourage more moisture to come to that area!
(The body is smarter than we think)
I stopped the Fosamax immediatly and began doing some eyelid messages.
In very little time the eylid "tic" was gone and has not returned.
I do still have dry eyes but...
Without the Fosamax my eyes are not as "terribly dry" anymore and I'm NEVER taking any form of that stuff again.
Yeah, I tried Evista and it made me sick right away so I won't be taking that either.
I do take Calcium Citrate with D.
I also see a Chiropractor to help slow the bending of my spine.
I have both arthritis and osteoporosis in my entire spine. It's bent 15% now.
Both knees and now my feet have arthritis badly but not osteoporosis yet.
I have pain meds I can take when the arthritis gets bad.
BUT I'm never touching Fosamax again.
I've turned 60 now.
I ended up stopping the Fosamax after taking it about a year.
Goodness how time flies, but this is an should remain a very useful thread.
I'll add my update as to how things have progressed.
My eyelid began to "tic" and move sideways...
I didn't even know an eyelid could move sideways!
VERY weird and it was constant. Drove me nuts!
I did see my eye specialist and he informed me my eyelid was actually trying to massage my dry eye to encourage more moisture to come to that area!
(The body is smarter than we think)
I stopped the Fosamax immediatly and began doing some eyelid messages.
In very little time the eylid "tic" was gone and has not returned.
I do still have dry eyes but...
Without the Fosamax my eyes are not as "terribly dry" anymore and I'm NEVER taking any form of that stuff again.
Yeah, I tried Evista and it made me sick right away so I won't be taking that either.
I do take Calcium Citrate with D.
I also see a Chiropractor to help slow the bending of my spine.
I have both arthritis and osteoporosis in my entire spine. It's bent 15% now.
Both knees and now my feet have arthritis badly but not osteoporosis yet.
I have pain meds I can take when the arthritis gets bad.
BUT I'm never touching Fosamax again.
gishy
01-16-2008, 08:44 AM
Hi - I'm Sharon and new around here. Dx'd with Osteoporosis y'day -2 and prescribed Bonviva - the once a month ibandronic acid. Took this morning and OK so far.
I was taking 3 grams calcium a day since sudden menopause onset after chemo. however my Specialist tells me it was a waste of time and the calcium just won't stay without hormones. The Bonviva seems to be the way forward but really hope I don't lose too much hair - don't have loads anyway!!
Do your Docs. give any advise on how to kep the Calcium in the bone for those of you who are post menopausal??
I was taking 3 grams calcium a day since sudden menopause onset after chemo. however my Specialist tells me it was a waste of time and the calcium just won't stay without hormones. The Bonviva seems to be the way forward but really hope I don't lose too much hair - don't have loads anyway!!
Do your Docs. give any advise on how to kep the Calcium in the bone for those of you who are post menopausal??
Canna
01-16-2008, 02:27 PM
Hi Snowmelts you mentioned you see a chiropractor for your back. With OP what type of treatments would he do to improve it?
peppurr
01-16-2008, 06:16 PM
I just have to add something about the height loss. My son went away to university and each time he came home I'd always comment on the fact that he had grown. Not so.....it was me shrinking.:(
snowmelts
01-16-2008, 06:23 PM
:wave:
Oh yes. I LOVE my Chiropractor!
(That actually has nothing to do with Fosamax and hair though)
I have a combination of both osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) in my spine. It seemd every part of my spine hurt, (OH my back!) my neck to hurt and stiffen, and this bend pulled and stressed muscles squishing bursa and resulting in very painful reoccurring hip brusitis.
My chiro has lessened my pain a great deal in the last couple years.
I really REALLY feel better than I did before.
My hip bursitis is simply a tiny echo of what it was.
I can turn my neck in normal directions without pain.
I now get up in the morning with no back pain.
It will be 2 years in May since I began going.
I still go once a month and plan to forever.
When I started I had terribly hip Bursitis (Had gone through the hoops the medical profession recommends for that.. got a steroid shot and did therapy but none fo that helped anywhere near the way my Chiro helped) And of course the back pain was so bad even though I'd gone through 2 winter of physical therapy.
What the Chiro will do depends on what YOUR skeleton needs.
It's not a one size fits all deal, but rather it's very personalized to your specific needs.
Ir is a long term commitment since your bone is forever going to need help once you have these OA & OP bone problems.
But I can tell you what mine did for me.
First he took X-rays of my spine and we discussed what can and what cannot be done.
My spine is bent 15%
He cannot help my knee arthritis.
He cannot UNbend bent bone.
He can slow down the spine bending process by subjegateing the joints and trying to keep them as properly lined up as possible.
Better proper position of the joints = less pain.
So he proceeded to work on my neck, entire back and pelvic bone.
*There is a chair called a "Wobbler" that I wobbled on (and fell in love with since it really helped my Hip Bursitis)
I still do this each time and I even have a portable Wobbler seat at home to do it when I'm not there.
*He cracked my neck (yep it actually felt and sounded like a "Crack" but it was one second and then my neck felt better than it had felt in years)
That was only needed once for me.
But he does the manipulations listed below on it as needed each time I go.
*I was given massages, by his assistant using a machine, on my shoulders all down both sides of my spine and my legs. The spine itself was not touched by the massage but muscles on each side were massaged.
This was only done the first summer I went.
*Then the Chiro did the manipulations by hand and by using a little popper type machine. These manipulations are done on my pelvic bones, spine and neck. I don't know the name of the machine but its small and he uses it to gently pop at the joint he wants to move back into place.
He does this every time I go.
Not often but sometimes also on my arthritic feet.
That first summer I went 3 times a week. The muscles screamed about it. But it was "good pain" if you know what I mean. It ment those muscles were being forced to help my back. That feeling of muscles being pounded on lasted about a month.
After about 3 months I began going only 2 times a week.
A couple months later we began doing only 1 visit per week.
Then a month later just 1 time every other week.
After a month of that I went once every 3rd week.
Then very shortely we progressed to just once a month visits.
I have been going once a month since sometimes last winter.
I plan on doing this forever.
My insurance pays for mine in full but I now know the effects for me are wonderful so I would pay if I had to.
Oh yes. I LOVE my Chiropractor!
(That actually has nothing to do with Fosamax and hair though)
I have a combination of both osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) in my spine. It seemd every part of my spine hurt, (OH my back!) my neck to hurt and stiffen, and this bend pulled and stressed muscles squishing bursa and resulting in very painful reoccurring hip brusitis.
My chiro has lessened my pain a great deal in the last couple years.
I really REALLY feel better than I did before.
My hip bursitis is simply a tiny echo of what it was.
I can turn my neck in normal directions without pain.
I now get up in the morning with no back pain.
It will be 2 years in May since I began going.
I still go once a month and plan to forever.
When I started I had terribly hip Bursitis (Had gone through the hoops the medical profession recommends for that.. got a steroid shot and did therapy but none fo that helped anywhere near the way my Chiro helped) And of course the back pain was so bad even though I'd gone through 2 winter of physical therapy.
What the Chiro will do depends on what YOUR skeleton needs.
It's not a one size fits all deal, but rather it's very personalized to your specific needs.
Ir is a long term commitment since your bone is forever going to need help once you have these OA & OP bone problems.
But I can tell you what mine did for me.
First he took X-rays of my spine and we discussed what can and what cannot be done.
My spine is bent 15%
He cannot help my knee arthritis.
He cannot UNbend bent bone.
He can slow down the spine bending process by subjegateing the joints and trying to keep them as properly lined up as possible.
Better proper position of the joints = less pain.
So he proceeded to work on my neck, entire back and pelvic bone.
*There is a chair called a "Wobbler" that I wobbled on (and fell in love with since it really helped my Hip Bursitis)
I still do this each time and I even have a portable Wobbler seat at home to do it when I'm not there.
*He cracked my neck (yep it actually felt and sounded like a "Crack" but it was one second and then my neck felt better than it had felt in years)
That was only needed once for me.
But he does the manipulations listed below on it as needed each time I go.
*I was given massages, by his assistant using a machine, on my shoulders all down both sides of my spine and my legs. The spine itself was not touched by the massage but muscles on each side were massaged.
This was only done the first summer I went.
*Then the Chiro did the manipulations by hand and by using a little popper type machine. These manipulations are done on my pelvic bones, spine and neck. I don't know the name of the machine but its small and he uses it to gently pop at the joint he wants to move back into place.
He does this every time I go.
Not often but sometimes also on my arthritic feet.
That first summer I went 3 times a week. The muscles screamed about it. But it was "good pain" if you know what I mean. It ment those muscles were being forced to help my back. That feeling of muscles being pounded on lasted about a month.
After about 3 months I began going only 2 times a week.
A couple months later we began doing only 1 visit per week.
Then a month later just 1 time every other week.
After a month of that I went once every 3rd week.
Then very shortely we progressed to just once a month visits.
I have been going once a month since sometimes last winter.
I plan on doing this forever.
My insurance pays for mine in full but I now know the effects for me are wonderful so I would pay if I had to.