Re: Painful Hips

[Guest guest]

Painful joints can certainly be 100% due to Lyme. Arthritis on X-rays can be a

red herring - sometimes there is pain, other times not. So it is wise to look

for other reasons for the pain rather than just accepting a bit of degeneration

as the sole cause.

It could be something as simple as a muscle spasm (or two or three or 20).

There are many muscles that can refer pain into the hip joints, and in many

cases, the problem is very easily fixed. If it has persisted for a long time,

the fascia is often contracted around the dysfunctional muscle tissue,

complicating the problem. Or it can have formed adhesions to adjacent muscles

or other structures. But even then, it can be rehabbed - it's just a bit more

work.

In all modesty, I am a really, really good clinical massage therapist. If a

problem is muscular, I can nearly always improve it 80 to 100% in one visit,

even if the problem has persisted for many years. It's not the most

comfortable work to go through, but it is effective, and if the problem is

muscular (or fascial), it can greatly decrease, or even put an end to, your

pain.

We aren't all that easy to find, as most massage therapists just don't do

this sort of work. But if you can find a good one, it's worth a try. Look for

clinical massage, or sports massage, or even myotherapy, rather than Swedish.

(Swedish only loosens the parts of the muscle that are already working

properly.) Ask how long they've been in practice. Heck - ask for references

from former clients who have had pain issues. If the therapist tries to hook

you in to more than a handful of sessions, look elsewhere. (Not that

maintenance and prevention aren't a good idea - just don't let them tell you it

took a long time to get this way, and it'll take just as long to get better,

and you shouldn't expect much change at first. That's horse puckey. You

should see a BIG change after the first session.)

If you do opt for massage therapy, be forewarned - the problem will be at

least partly in your buttocks.

Just one possibility. Another is acupuncture. I have had some very good

results with this as well, and some complete failures. But it sure is more

comfortable than a deep tissue massage.

Take care, and good luck,

Jessie MacMillan <jessiemacmillan@...> wrote: I'm looking for opinions on

my painful hips.

Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I noticed that my hips were sore

now and then, and I'd feel a sharp pain if I stepped down in a

particular way. Arthitis showed up on my baseline bone scan, but I

didn't give it much thought because my mother had arthritis. Once I

had my Lyme dx, the pain in my hips made sense.

When Herxing, my hips and outer thighs get very sore. When I'm done

Herxing, the pain goes away.

Except this time. My brain fog cleared yesterday, but my hips

started aching 2 days ago and still hurt. My left hip is especially

painful, making it difficult to walk or sit up in a chair. I've

taken ibuprofen today and it has taken some of the edge off.

My current abx is Ketek, 800 mg daily, which I've been on for about

6 weeks. I was on Buhner's core protocol, but my LLMD took me off it

because he thought I wasn't improving on it (I'm inclined to agree).

Lately I've been Herxing every 2 weeks, which is also a change. It's

like I've entered a new phase. I've been taking abx most of the time

since Feb. 2003.

Ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks,

Jessie

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[Guest guest]

For me MSM ( supplement) helped as does horseback riding, which kills me for

the first few rides but if I keep it up, it realllllly helps. If that isnt

an option you might try some light yoga and stretching to keep those hips

limber and to strengthen the muscles

[ ] Painful Hips

> I'm looking for opinions on my painful hips.

>

> Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I noticed that my hips were sore

> now and then, and I'd feel a sharp pain if I stepped down in a

> particular way. Arthitis showed up on my baseline bone scan, but I

> didn't give it much thought because my mother had arthritis. Once I

> had my Lyme dx, the pain in my hips made sense.

>

> When Herxing, my hips and outer thighs get very sore. When I'm done

> Herxing, the pain goes away.

>

> Except this time. My brain fog cleared yesterday, but my hips

> started aching 2 days ago and still hurt. My left hip is especially

> painful, making it difficult to walk or sit up in a chair. I've

> taken ibuprofen today and it has taken some of the edge off.

>

> My current abx is Ketek, 800 mg daily, which I've been on for about

> 6 weeks. I was on Buhner's core protocol, but my LLMD took me off it

> because he thought I wasn't improving on it (I'm inclined to agree).

>

> Lately I've been Herxing every 2 weeks, which is also a change. It's

> like I've entered a new phase. I've been taking abx most of the time

> since Feb. 2003.

>

> Ideas? Suggestions?

>

> Thanks,

> Jessie

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you! This is terrific information. I now feel armed to go find

a good massage therapist, which I've been thinking about for a

while, but just didn't know what to expect.

Jessie

I'm looking for

opinions on my painful hips.

>

> Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I noticed that my hips were sore

> now and then, and I'd feel a sharp pain if I stepped down in a

> particular way. Arthitis showed up on my baseline bone scan, but I

> didn't give it much thought because my mother had arthritis. Once

I

> had my Lyme dx, the pain in my hips made sense.

>

> When Herxing, my hips and outer thighs get very sore. When I'm

done

> Herxing, the pain goes away.

>

> Except this time. My brain fog cleared yesterday, but my hips

> started aching 2 days ago and still hurt. My left hip is

especially

> painful, making it difficult to walk or sit up in a chair. I've

> taken ibuprofen today and it has taken some of the edge off.

>

> My current abx is Ketek, 800 mg daily, which I've been on for

about

> 6 weeks. I was on Buhner's core protocol, but my LLMD took me off

it

> because he thought I wasn't improving on it (I'm inclined to

agree).

>

> Lately I've been Herxing every 2 weeks, which is also a change.

It's

> like I've entered a new phase. I've been taking abx most of the

time

> since Feb. 2003.

>

> Ideas? Suggestions?

>

> Thanks,

> Jessie

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

> Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

>

>

[Guest guest]

You're welcome.

If you'd like a teeny bit more information, I can point you to pictures of the

muscles most likely to be involved

http://www.exrx.net/Muscles/HipExernalRotators.html

The colored-in muscles rotate the hip outward, and the not-colored ones above

them (gluteus medius and minimus) rotate the hip inward. If they are both in

spasm, the hip may be stuck at the center of a tug-of-war, which can cause

inflammation and pain. (There are other muscle that can be in on it, but these

are often the major players.)

A good therapist will look for spasms near the muscle origin - about where

the 1 and the 3 are. He/She will apply pressure to the spasm, which may hurt

quite a bit until it releases. Then the therapist should gently and deeply

stroke across the muscle fibers to further separte them. She/he might also

" strip " the muscle - a long, compressive stroke from end to end, possibly while

moving the hip to further lengthen the muscle. All of this is likely to be

somewhere between uncomfortable and painful, but never so painful that you

cannot keep the muscle relaxed, and you are always free to ask for less

pressure. You will also be draped (covered with a sheet) for modesty the

entire time. If you find a good sportsmassage therapist, you may even be

wearing loose clothing.

Once this is done, she should ask you to turn onto your back so she can

stretch the muscles. She'll bring your knee toward the opposite shoulder, and

may ask you to assist with the stretch, relax completely, or lightly resist the

stretch, depending on what method she is most comfortable with.

To work with the contracted fascia, she will apply pressure that is more

directional, like, from hip toward foot rather than toward the center of the

body. This takes time - fascia releases very slowly. But you may feel it

beginning to pop or slowly unwind.

Afterwards you may feel a bit bruised for a day or two - more than that and

she was probably more brutal than she needed to be. You should also feel a

great increase in flexibility and a great decrease in joint pain.

Massage kept me going for years before my Lyme was diagnosed. Hope you find

someone good.

Jessie MacMillan <jessiemacmillan@...> wrote: ,

Thank you! This is terrific information. I now feel armed to go find

a good massage therapist, which I've been thinking about for a

while, but just didn't know what to expect.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Thanks, . You remind me that I've stopped taking glucosamine -

- maybe it's time to start again! Something like yoga is a great

idea. I'm a big fan of tai ch'i, which I used to do but had to stop

because of scheduling. I think I need to look for a class that's

convenient.

Jessie

>

> For me MSM ( supplement) helped as does horseback riding, which

kills me for

> the first few rides but if I keep it up, it realllllly helps. If

that isnt

> an option you might try some light yoga and stretching to keep

those hips

> limber and to strengthen the muscles

>

>

>

> [ ] Painful Hips

>

>

> > I'm looking for opinions on my painful hips.

> >

> > Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I noticed that my hips were

sore

> > now and then, and I'd feel a sharp pain if I stepped down in a

> > particular way. Arthitis showed up on my baseline bone scan, but

I

> > didn't give it much thought because my mother had arthritis.

Once I

> > had my Lyme dx, the pain in my hips made sense.

> >

> > When Herxing, my hips and outer thighs get very sore. When I'm

done

> > Herxing, the pain goes away.

> >

> > Except this time. My brain fog cleared yesterday, but my hips

> > started aching 2 days ago and still hurt. My left hip is

especially

> > painful, making it difficult to walk or sit up in a chair. I've

> > taken ibuprofen today and it has taken some of the edge off.

> >

> > My current abx is Ketek, 800 mg daily, which I've been on for

about

> > 6 weeks. I was on Buhner's core protocol, but my LLMD took me

off it

> > because he thought I wasn't improving on it (I'm inclined to

agree).

> >

> > Lately I've been Herxing every 2 weeks, which is also a change.

It's

> > like I've entered a new phase. I've been taking abx most of the

time

> > since Feb. 2003.

> >

> > Ideas? Suggestions?

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Jessie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge! I really will

be an informed consumer when I go looking for a massage therapist.

I've created a folder on my computer for good info that I've gotten

from this group and your descriptions are on their way there.

Thanks again,

Jessie

,

>

> Thank you! This is terrific information. I now feel armed to go

find

> a good massage therapist, which I've been thinking about for a

> while, but just didn't know what to expect.

>

> ---------------------------------

>

> Use Photomail to share photos without annoying attachments.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm glad wrote this about the power of therapeutic massage.

In the past it's helped me tremendously with all sorts of pain and

immobility. One caution is that a long, deep massage releases a lot of

toxins. Sometimes I would feel as though I was herxing the next day. But not

always.

Deanna

> It could be something as simple as a muscle spasm (or two or three or 20).

> There are many muscles that can refer pain into the hip joints, and in many

> cases, the problem is very easily fixed. If it has persisted for a long

> time, the fascia is often contracted around the dysfunctional muscle tissue,

> complicating the problem. Or it can have formed adhesions to adjacent

> muscles or other structures. But even then, it can be rehabbed - it's just a

> bit more work.

>

> In all modesty, I am a really, really good clinical massage therapist. If a

> problem is muscular, I can nearly always improve it 80 to 100% in one visit,

> even if the problem has persisted for many years. It's not the most

> comfortable work to go through, but it is effective, and if the problem is

> muscular (or fascial), it can greatly decrease, or even put an end to, your

> pain.

[Guest guest]

My lyme dr. just put me on MSM/and glucosamine. Shins splints.

anyone have these? My llmd does not think they are lYme. My bone

scan is negative and I went to 3 foot drs. Yes, I have pronotion but

they can't explain all of the pain. Orthotics are too hard.

Good thing is---with this Lyme treatment, my foot pain has improved!

In , " /Rodney " <rod@...> wrote:

>

> For me MSM ( supplement) helped as does horseback riding, which

kills me for

> the first few rides but if I keep it up, it realllllly helps. If

that isnt

> an option you might try some light yoga and stretching to keep

those hips

> limber and to strengthen the muscles

>

>

>

> [ ] Painful Hips

>

>

> > I'm looking for opinions on my painful hips.

> >

> > Before I was diagnosed with Lyme, I noticed that my hips were

sore

> > now and then, and I'd feel a sharp pain if I stepped down in a

> > particular way. Arthitis showed up on my baseline bone scan, but

I

> > didn't give it much thought because my mother had arthritis.

Once I

> > had my Lyme dx, the pain in my hips made sense.

> >

> > When Herxing, my hips and outer thighs get very sore. When I'm

done

> > Herxing, the pain goes away.

> >

> > Except this time. My brain fog cleared yesterday, but my hips

> > started aching 2 days ago and still hurt. My left hip is

especially

> > painful, making it difficult to walk or sit up in a chair. I've

> > taken ibuprofen today and it has taken some of the edge off.

> >

> > My current abx is Ketek, 800 mg daily, which I've been on for

about

> > 6 weeks. I was on Buhner's core protocol, but my LLMD took me

off it

> > because he thought I wasn't improving on it (I'm inclined to

agree).

> >

> > Lately I've been Herxing every 2 weeks, which is also a change.

It's

> > like I've entered a new phase. I've been taking abx most of the

time

> > since Feb. 2003.

> >

> > Ideas? Suggestions?

> >

> > Thanks,

> > Jessie

> >

>

[Guest guest]

This is another thing a good clinical massage therapist might be able to help,

if it has the usual muscular causes. But it'll hurt. A lot. I have a pretty

high threshhold, but I HATE having shin splints worked on.

The muscles typically involved are the soleus, the most powerful ankle

flexor, and the flexor digitorum longus, a deep toe flexor. These run down the

back of the calf, even though pain is typically felt on the front. The

inflammation occurs where they attach to bone, and irritate and inflame the

membrane covering the bone. Pronation does predispose you.

Just as an FYI, there is also something called " chronic compartment

syndrome, " which would not be helped by massage, and which should be ruled out.

Muscles are surrounded by a tough membrane which does not allow much expansion,

and which also contains blood vessels and nerves. If it becomes inflamed, the

pressure within this " compartment " rises and puts pressure on all the

structures inside. It HURTS. Massage would be a bad idea. This would need

rest, ice, elevation and probably antiinflammatory drugs. If that doesn't

help, surgery may be necessary to slit the protective membrane and quickly

decrease the pressure.

Hope it gets better all by its lonesome.

<scorpionallure@...> wrote: My lyme dr. just put me on MSM/and

glucosamine. Shins splints.

anyone have these? My llmd does not think they are lYme. My bone

scan is negative and I went to 3 foot drs. Yes, I have pronotion but

they can't explain all of the pain. Orthotics are too hard.

---------------------------------

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