Aches and Pains?

[Crankin]

Mr. Silver,

I went to a chiropractor a couple of years ago when I was having back issues. All he did was take my $, so I stopped. The lbs owner solved the problem this year when he quickly realized I had a leg length discrepancy. Putting a shim under my cleat solved that problem, after years of pain.
I know that every sport uses different muscles and I just don't do the other things enough to get the muscle memory. I have always been this way, but it's getting worse as I age. Some days I see all the aches and pains as my "warrior's badge" but other days it really annoys me.
My solution for the moment is to up the stretching, ice the knee, and wear my knee support for a couple of days. I really want to go skiing tomorrow, since it will be nice out, but if I do, I will go very slowly. One of my colleagues used to be a PT, so I will discuss with her on Monday. I'm more of a believer in PT than chiro. and my son had a very successful outcome with a PT after some problems when he was racing.
I'm just jealous of everyone who seem to have no ill effects from all of this activity!

[Mr. Bloom]

Mr. Silver,

I went to a chiropractor a couple of years ago when I was having back issues. All he did was take my $, so I stopped. The lbs owner solved the problem this year when he quickly realized I had a leg length discrepancy. Putting a shim under my cleat solved that problem, after years of pain.

I respect your experience. Indulge me just a bit:

10 years ago, my sciatica emerged. MD gave drugs with temporary relief (and emotional side effects).

In desperation, went to chiropractor. He took an xray of my spine while standing. Showed the spinal misalignment, the twisted my hips and made one leg shorter than the other (sound familiar???).

He gave me a plan: 3 visits/week for three months. $35/visit UNINSURED at a time that we barely had two nickels to rub together. Fortunately, my insurance covers it these days...'cause I'm a believer...but back then, it was a huge leap of faith financially.

After 2 months, I was in doubt, but continued. After three months, the pain was gone and the xray revealed straight hips and spine. Until recently, I've been sciatica free for 10 years.

The body is a kinetic masterpiece...nothing but cause and effect...finding the source is the cure...Judging by the activities you pursue, you're not old (or at least not old acting ), so I suspect the answer is embedded in your body's kinetics.

But, I'm no expert... although I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express two years ago

[Wahine]

Robyn - I have a few bits o' info for you. First off, your issue does sound like a kinetic chain problem, but unlike Mr. Silver, I would recommend PT before Chiro. I believe there are many good Chiros out there, don't get me wrong. But I believe there are also many very good PTs that can take care of this problem. Unfortunately, I often see people after they've been through several treatments with poor outcomes. I can honestly say that I see this happen more often with Chiro treatment than PT. I also tend to hear stories of Chiro treatment that does not foster the patient's ability to independently manage their condition. Finally, Chiros tend to use manipulation a lot. As we get older the probability of a serious side effect from a manipulation becomes more of an issue.

Now, specifically regarding this issue. If you have a leg length discrepency, do you have a insert for your short leg that you can use in your cross country boot? This might help. Also, frequent slipping back on the weight bearing ski when you're doing your kick will increase stress on the area you described. You should make sure that you are waxed well to prevent this, assuming you are using waxed skis.

I'd also like to suggest some stretches. They may be same as what you are already doing. In particular, hip stretches are very important for both the pain in your knee and your hip.

http://www.easyvigour.net.nz/fitness...xorstretch.htm

http://www.easyvigour.net.nz/fitness/h_TFL_StrLy.htm

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/piri.2.html

I combine these with the usual quad stretches and calf stretches.

I usually recommend holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, repeat 3 to 4 times each side, twice/day until the symptoms are gone then you can slowly taper down to a maintainance schedule of 3 times/week.

Regular yoga classes or Pilates may be very helpful to you.

I hope this helps.

[Pika]

I love the websites you posted esp. the easyvigour- very easy instructions! I love this! learning all the time...and I don't even have an ITB problem/imbalance. ( But I know people who do)!
Robyn: I can only say I second what Wahine suggested: I often see this sort of problem with people who have a kinetic chain problem- ie muscle imbalance + or - a pelvis rotation. My first choice would be a manual therapy trained physio to help you through this- some of my patients have also had some luck with ART ( active release therapy) never having experienced it I can only report what people tell me about it- "it works but it frigging hurts".
A manual therapist can almost certainly help hopefully with little pain.
Good luck- I hope you feel better soon

[Wahine]

Pika, I'm glad you agree.

[Crankin]

Thanks for the stretches. I am already doing 2 out of the 3, plus ramping up my yoga. Since aerobic stuff is still hard for me because of the recovery from the bronchitis, I am doing a lot more yoga, with lighter cardio. Right now, I am not a happy person. It is going to be 42 at the end of the week, and I want to ride my bike outside!
Yes, I have a definite imbalance. Untreated scoliosis. Nobody noticed it until I was 16, too late to do anything, since I had long been at my adult height. All of the issues i get are on the left side (except the knee).

I am going to call the PT this week.

Robyn

[Tuckervill]

You might also consider a osteopathic doctor (D.O.) in addition/instead of just PT. Both my DO and my PT did manipulation for the whiplash I suffered in a car accident, but they didn't just rely on that, like a chiro might. It really helped.

Karen