Pain relief?

[grannyjanny]

Has anyone tried the magnetic wrist bands that are supposed to help with arthritis pain? I have it at the top of my spine & it's real pain in the neck ;D ;D ;D.

[grannyjanny]

[tim]

I wish!!
NO expert on this but, although folk do say they help certain things, I do see them as something you have to believe in very strongly. If I said cranky, I would be drummed out?

In some cases, a TENS machine might be a more appropriate??

[manicscousers]

janet, I have it in 3 places at the top of my spine..I have a tens machine but find it makes me dizzy..I use bio freeze, recommended by my physio, helps bring down swelling and eases the pain..I feel for you, my neck's in spasm at the moment from wrapping pressies  :o
never used magnetic bands  ???
would need a bl**dy big band to fit around my neck  ;D

[grannyjanny]

You wear it on your wrist Manics. I think I might give it a try, if there is no benefit after 90 days they give you back 85% of the purchase price.
Tim cranky is mild compared to what OH thinks of me ;D. Hope you are improving.

[manicscousers]

also forgot to mention tiger balm, rubbed in, really helps my neck..I keep the bio freeze for nights, helps me sleep..don't the bands only help your hands?

[grannyjanny]

I'm going to phone them to ask. I use emu oil which is very good too. As I can't take painkillers I really wanted something I could forget about :(.

[saddad]

Have you tried a Tens machine or acupuncture Janet?  :-\

[small]

I haven't tried magnetic bands, but a Tens machine for me is a lifesaver. Some doctors loan them out to try, might be worth asking.  They do vary in useability, and need some tweaking to find the settings and positioning that is just right for blocking the nerves.  I hope you find something that works for you.

[Carol]

My friend Ann has fybromyalgia and gets relief from her TENS machine along with the usual painkillers.  I use Bio freeze when a disc goes awry or the pelvis tilts!  Anns pains are particularly bad at the moment because of the damp weather.  My sympathies to all of you in pain at the moment.

:'( :'(

[Obelixx]

I have arthritic bits in my cervical spine and slipped discs in my lumbar spine.  Both involve stiffness, chronic dull pain and acute pain from pinched nerves.

The answer for me has been a wonderful specialised clinic in Brussels which is staffed by people who firmly believe suffering daily pain is not normal.  They do scans, X-rays, blood tests, nerve function tests and so on and then prescribe treatment from physio to exercise to epidural infiltrations of cortisone.   Operations are a last resort to be avoided at all costs.

The cortisone option has worked wonders for me.  I can now garden, ski and dance and walk long distances on reasonable surfaces.  Mountain climbing is out.   These infiltrations are known to the NHS so go talk to your GP and get referred to a back expert.

[tim]

Cortisone in my shoulder on Wednesday!

[Deb P]

Had an interesting conversation with an anaethatist at work last night, she has regular acupuncture for a back problem and swears by it, so might be worth a try?

[manicscousers]

Janet, if you'd like to try some bio freeze, I have a sample my physio gave me, you're welcome to it..try before you buy  ;D

[grannyjanny]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I've had acupuncture for back problems & fibromyalgia & it worked wonderfully but not on the arthritis. I haven't needed acupuncture or  chiropractic treatment for 13 months. My chiropractor recommended a back support called The Back Friend & I haven't had an attack of FM & my spine hasn't slipped out of alignment since I've been using it. I can't have cortisone as I have ME & other drugs cause other problems. Mal I'll PM you.