Complementary Therapies for Wrist problem?

[Paulus Apostollos]

I injured my wrist playing rugby 16 years ago, but being an idiot I did nothing about it and from then on just taped my wrist up before every game.

About a year ago I noticed that I was getting increased pain, reduced ROM and a loss of strength with the wrist. I went to the GP who arranged an X-Ray. I was infromed that I had a fracture of the Scaphoid with resulting arthritis.

12 weeks ago I had surgery. Specifically, a bone graft of the scaphiod in the hope of getting the fracture to finally heal and a radial styloidectomy(reduction of the styloid process on the radius) to reduce the arthritic symptoms.

I have been referred straight to physio, without a follow up appointment after surgery with my consultant?

The physiotherapy on the NHS has been very poor. I have had two appointments in 6 weeks and on both occasions they have taken ROM assessments and handed me a sheet of paper with a few exercises on it. 15 minutes max.

I have made little progress since surgery and I am still in considerable pain. I only have 60% medial movement and 10% lateral now. I foresee myself being referred back to the consultant and eventually having a partial or complete wrist fusion which would be a disaster!

I am now paying for Osteopathy sessions but want to know what complementary therapies I could consider to help.

 

[Bunny Breeder 22]

It may sound obvious, but the body recovers unless there's a reason why not. And time is a vital part of the process. Osteopathy should work, but of course there are now many approaches and views within the profession, so it would be interesting to know the particular thoughts of your osteopath on this. However, many, myself included, find it hard to help if therapies are being mixed up. If you think he's not dealing with it, or something else might be needed, then tell him, he may need this feedback to direct his approach. Alternatively, consider getting another point of view, but keep everyone informed of your concerns and everything you are doing.

 

[Ships Ahoy]

Hi Aspire ST

Didn't you post not so long ago about an ankle injury too? Also sports related?

Stacy Vombrock is the specialist sports EFT go-to lady - she gets some quite spectacular results ... and can work over the phone. Your body is a system - *all* of it needs to be addressed at the same time, particularly when different bits of it have been injured in the same kind of event. Here's Stacy's homepage link: http://breakthroughperformance.net/

Fx

 

[Foxy]

Hi AST

KVDP has a good point that should have one therapy at a time, at least coordinate the process for 2 therapies were to be used.

Acupuncture with/without massage or electro would speed the healing process and reduce discomfort.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[Shelly]

Hi I would encourage you to have some homeopathy. Not only can it be used on a physical level but also to address the original susceptibility.
In my view, it makes no difference that you are having osteopathy-or any other therapy- as well. Hom

 

[Samantha Broock]

Sorry to be picky - it might not make a difference to the homoeopath but as far as the osteopath is concerned it can make a huge difference.

(That said, I know that many of my osteopathic colleagues would disagree on this point)

 

[schoolsomething]

Further to my last, perhaps that point needs some explaining. Osteopathy is not defined by the method, but by the philosophy behind the method. If other belief systems are 'added on', then what you are left with is a technique, nothing else.

Many homoeopaths believe the same thing - that the method alone is dead without the vision guiding it. You can't just be fast and loose with the system and expect the technique to work - treatment must be coherent, it can be hard enough already to make sense of what is happening to the patient.

This is why if you think osteopathy alone is not enough, the first person you should tell is your osteopath. Decide from their reaction whether you should continue with that practitioner or find somebody else.

Many a recovery has been scuppered by mixing and matching of intervention without the understanding of all parties involved.

I accept not everybody can get their head around this.

 

[Madrid Chica]

hi AspireST,

As an aspiring sports therapist who is currently claiming that your current course has covered all but 2 NOS from the ST Core curricula, should you not be putting your faith and own knowledge in ST to the test here. ST's realise that the NHS has a flawed system where Physio is concerned, there are too few Physios and too many patients, it is not about being effective anymore it is about seeing lots of people per day and giving out generic advice, non specific.

Going back to your own learning, you should know the extremes of ranges of movement available at the wrist, you should understand the "under the skin" happenings and understand the appropriate treatment modality that will assist with the healing process.
This is no reflection on you personally, I all too often see the academically trained therapists have little practical knowledge or experience in administering soft tissue modalities.
After successfully rehabbing my self following a shoulder replacement I say you should be able to make positive gains in your own condition without resorting to other effective therapies at this stage. This process will give you confidence in your own industry and allow you to empathise and give reassuring advice to your future clients.
regards
BGFL

 

[kyeskudhislizreez]

Hi BGFL,

I think you may be getting me confused with someone else. I have never made claims that my course covers all but 2 of the NOS??? Far from it and you know that. I am a student of ST and have a lot to learn so I am seeking advice from experienced and qualified therapists. I have had some PM's from people with great advice that I have taken on board and I am very grateful to them. The condition of my wrist at this time is very concerning and could impact on my career. I have responsibilities and will seek the advice from other people if it means that I can improve the condition of my wrist. Surely you realise the benefit of the objective views of other professionals.

Check my threads and posts, I have NEVER posted on HP about an ankle injury.

Regards AspireST

 

[JonasSupaFan15]

Don't forget a problem in the wrist can be due to problems in the elbow - if the radius isn't free at one end then function at the other end will be affected. If the wrist has been static the rest of the limb may have had altered usage that remains, and now maintains the dysfunction. In turn, problems in the elbow can involve problems in the shoulder... and in the spine... in the pelvis... the liver... digestion... environment... mental engrams of movement... mood... etc.

 

[BlueBelle]

I suggest try with magnet therapy is not painful and maybe can help to reduce your agony

 

[Khawanah]

As a point of interest and digressing slightly, in response to kvdp's previous post, many homeopaths-and patients- find that homeopathy can be effective, regardless of the nature of the complaint and of other treatments being used. You can create many theories/philosophies but homeopathy's practice i.e. use and application of remedies, is essentially based on clinical experience alone. Hom

 

[xrumerBaxExcali]

Hi Hom
interesting you say that, IMHO as soon as you hold ideas such as health and disease, better and worse, works and doesn't work, then you are inextricably immersed in a belief system and invoke an entire framework of theory and philosophy to navigate these ideas. The ones who can't see this are as the fish, unaware of water.

It is entirely possible for different practitioners, even in the same school, to be steering a process in completely different directions, to be placing different interpretations on signs, symptoms and events. The worst situation is where one practitioner is trying to initiate a process, the next practitioner then views the subsequent developments as negative and immediately tries to jump on them and suppress.

I have seen this happen time and time again, the patient goes round in circles. Which is why I usually insist on not starting work with a patient until they have wrapped up whatever they are doing with somebody else - I can't be responsible for their progress otherwise.

The relevance to the thread is that AspireST should keep all practitioners informed of everything he is doing, I hope I have made my reasons clear.

 

[Intectese]

Hi there - Ive just been reading through the posts relating to your wrist problem

Can I suggest that you try Bowen Therapy - its a soft tissue therapy which releases muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue in order that the body can realign itself. I am a Bowen Therapist myself and have lots of success in treating similar problems.

The place to look to find out more info and a therapist in your area is either Bowen Therapist European Register (BTER for short) www.bowentherapists.com - that way you can be sure that the therapist is registered so they are appropriately trained, and also have Anatomy and Physiology training, and are also insured. Its worth a look at the website to get more info - most therapists charge approx £30 - £40 for a treatment - its extremely gentle and usually you get a positive result after apprx 3 sessions. Good luck x

 

[Biddie]

Hi kvdp, interesting topic isn't it?! Without posting a whole homeopathy course, all I can say in summary, is that I speak as I find and I stand by my original advice- if the treatment's not working, it might be worth changing the therapy or the practitioner. I guess that on enquiring, each practitioner will voice his/her own opinion re other therapies used at the same time. Hom

 

[Herbie]

Hi - there are chiropractors who specialize in extremities and can effectively address problems with the hand/wrist. A chiro that I worked for helped my wrist greatly during massage school. Hope you are feeling better and heal well!

 

[incepaype]

I also agree that I would not start treating a cleint who is having any form of alternative treatment, out of professional courtesy I would not want to conflict with other advice or treatment protocol. I would therefore expect the same courtesy in return.

 

[pfemguzsiyoikgeee]

Hi Hom, I wholeheartedly agree - if something isn't working, then change it (simple notion, but big subject in practice). Have no fear, I have not a little familiarity with homoeopathy.

What I am opposed to is mixing and matching of random 'therapeutic' inputs without any coordination. Also self diagnosis and self mentoring by the patient in unfamiliar territory, leading to jumping from therapy to therapy without giving anything a proper chance to work. This last is important, because the effects of treatment can take a long time to play out, sometimes months. Often we just 'till the soil', but nothing will germinate there 'until the rain has fallen'.

Hence if there are concerns about the therapy and its effects, then it is important to discuss those with the practitioner concerned, as interpretation is required before action. If this kind of rapport is not shared, then that would probably also indicate time to move on. In fact I would generally advise discussing the case with the practitioner before appointing them, to make sure they have something actually interesting to offer.

 

[CooCoo4CocoaPuffs]

Hi,
I can also recommend magnet therapy, I bought a bracelet from Pembrokeshire Show a couple of weeks ago from a lovely lady who advised me about which product to get.(she also sold magnetic underlays as well). I got the hematite bracelet which not only looks great, but has also helped resolve my clicking wrist of 20 years
Enjoy x

 

[accosseengabs]

Thanks for your comments. I found out today that the bone graft to my fractured scaphiod has not been successful. Unfortunately the blood supply to the scaphoid bone is very poor which means it doesn't heal well if at all if it is broken. They may try another graft but more likely a wrist fusion. Thanks again.