Question for MT's? Hip and Shoulder Pain

[Karl]

Ever since my Salon(going to the same stylist now for about 7 years) talked me into getting a massage cause I had stressful day. I've been going in to get massages on a regular basis ~ every 6-8 weeks. A while ago, the therapist I was seeing moved out of state and since then I've been bouncing around trying to find a therapist. It's amazing how different each person massages the body. I'd love to develop a relationship with 1 therapist. The time I've spent with the "others" has been great since I learned different techniques and pressures I enjoy.

My question is this, one of the therapists did some leg stretches and I enjoyed that a lot and it seemed to help out with my hip pain. I'm not entirely sure what causes me to have such chronic pain in the hips and shoulders. I've seen Dr's for the shoulder pain cause it gets the point where you can feel stuff moving around in there and I was having a hard time lifting the arms up without having pain. (His diagnosis was mild torn rotator cuffs not severe enough to warrant surgery) The hips have always hurt even through my teenage years where the dr's thought I may have rheumatoid arth. Are there any specific stretches that I should request at my next massage that can help with this and the hip pain?

For the sake of sounding girlish, I've recently started to take hot baths on the weekend to help alleviate the pain but it's only temporary. Almost thinking I need to visit my friends hot tub on a more frequent basis

I used to take glucosamine/chondrotin to help with the pain and recently started it back up 3/day since I've become more active but it has yet to kick in.

I've also noticed that there are some essential oils like marjoram that can help with joint pain. The salons/spas I've basically been to specialize in Aveda products and don't know if any of their products conain that.

My luck with Biofreeze has been to never use it again cause it makes me go into violent, uncontrolled shivering.

 

[[email protected]]

Well, even though I'm an MT and not a doctor (yet!) I can say that I have osteoarthritis in both hips and I have taken a natural harmless supplement called MSM (it stands for some long name that I don't remember), but one of the key ingredients is collagen. I used to take 3 capsules a night back when I was cocktail waitressing without a break for 8-10 hrs straight and my hips would kill me. It really helped a lot! I also started seeing a chiropractor, who has done WONDERS for me. And of course, I get a massage every 2-4 wks. The massage and chiropractic really reinforce each other and go hand in hand.

I wish you luck in finding a new MT; perhaps look for one that specializes in Neuromuscular Therapy or medical masasge? Perhaps look for one that advertises "pain management", or one with some additional training along those lines. You might also want to look for a Rolfer. Basic Rolfing is a 10-session package, each session does something different; all are necessary. It's good for structural realignment, I've heard. I don't know anyone who does, but you might want to check ABMP.com or AMTA's website for listed referrals in your area. I know on ABMP you can search by a few different modalities that might narrow your returns to ppl whose skills are more likely what you're looking for.

Hope that helps, and good luck!
~Jyoti

 

[carbefangirl]

Some follow-up links to Jyoti's post:

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): http://arthritis.about.com/od/msm/

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) searchable database of bodyworkers by modality: http://www.massagetherapy.com/find/index.php

You might also look into some movement exercises like yoga or pilates to strengthen the hip, pelvic, spine areas once you are in control of the pain.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Well, I think I found the problem and found some stretches here that seemed to alleviate the pain.

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/HipsWt.html#anchor3234580

I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a MT doing any work on the Deep External Rotators or if they even would. But my gosh last night when I was just putting pressure on the area I could feel the knots. However, I've got know clue if I'm doing more harm than good but at least I felt better this morning when I woke up.

Next question, is it common for these muscles to get all kinked up? What on earth causes it? I sit at a desk job(software engineer) and I'm gonna start those stretches up on a daily basis.

Sure glad I found this website cause there's lots of information. I don't think it has anything to do with arthritis but if the pain doesn't go away I'm going to schedule an appt witha chirpopractor and see if they will take x-rays of the hip to make sure there's nothing wrong and do some alignment. I've been afraid of chiropractors for the longest time. Time to swallow the pride and give them a try. Hard to believe I'm not even 30 yet and already have joint pain

Oh and if any therapists in the IC/CR area chime in with recommendations.

 

[tkp]

you can find a certified rolfer in your area at

http://www.rolf.org/

if you're afraid or not comfortable with chiro work, then try rolfing. it is mostly a systematic deep massage that can do wonders for re-aligning the body.

good luck finding a healing method.

 

[Just beat it]

Another name for rolfing is structural integration. Its definitely a modality that I would recommend for chronic hip and shoulder problems. I work on the deep hip rotators a lot in my practice. If you are uncomfortable with having a therapist work that area, several of my clients use a tennis ball to self-massage that area between massage sessions. Piformis stretches are usually very beneficial. Good luck with your search for a therapist.

Keelie

 

[Phil P]

Well, I think I found the problem and found some stretches here that seemed to alleviate the pain.
Next question, is it common for these muscles to get all kinked up? What on earth causes it? I sit at a desk job(software engineer) and I'm gonna start those stretches up on a daily basis.

Oh and if any therapists in the IC/CR area chime in with recommendations.

Your sitting at a desk does contribute to your back/hip pain.
Your/My/Our ADL's(activities of daily living) have a profound effect on our bodies(good and bad).
Once you have seen a Dr/Chiro for a Dx or R/o of arthritis and/or you are not in an acute phase....here are some areas I would ask your therapist to address. Mind you there are others, I am shooting from the hip (pardon the pun) right now.
piriformis
QL (quadratus Lumborum)
glute medius
TFL and IT band
hamstrings/quads
psoas

Have these groups worked on and stretched.
From your website for stretching I especially like lying stretch for piriformis. There is also an excellent pin and stretch method your therapist can use for this muscle.
As a fellow hip pain sufferer( I have severe SI joint dysfunction) I can say that all of the above when not in an acute phase are MAH-VEL-OUS.....


Robyn

 

[crissysmith4u]

hip pain

I've read the dialogue regarding your hip pain. My suggestion is to pursue soft tissue therapy first before going to a chiro. A chiro will adjust your bones but will do nothing to release the muscles that have moved those bones out of position and cause the misalignment/pain that most people experience.I specialize in a form of advanced structural and soft tissue massage called Neuromuscular Therapy. In my experience, most hip pain that often gets diagnosed as arthritis or sciatica is actually caused by hypertonic (overly tight) gluteals, deep hip rotators or other lower body muscles. Hip pain can also be caused by hypertonic TFL/IT Band muscles. I would strongly suggest that you locate a therapist in your area who is proficient in postural assessment, such as a Rolfer or a St. John Method Neuromuscular Therapist (SJNMT). SJNMT's are trained to assess postural distortion and identify the exact cause of your pain and then work toward correcting it. You may have a tilted or rotated pelvis, a leg length difference or imbalances in specific muscle groups that are causing this pain. Where pain is felt and the real source of the pain are often very different; in other words, where it hurts may not be the problem, the pain merely shows up there as a compensation for some other issue. If a therapist only "chases the pain" without identifying what's causing it may do you more harm than good. Please contact me if you want a more detailed explanation. Hope this helps.

 

[Evie B]

Actually the hip pain was solved by me just massaging the part where it hurts. Right near the pelvic bone but its kinda tough to explain. It's where the femur pretty much connects to the hip. Without having any clinical training its tough for me to pinpoint the exact name of the muscle but I do think they were the rotators. I've got my next massage next week and unfortunately the nearest rolfers etc are like 2 hours away and well with new baby and tons of yard work that needs to be done I just can't take that ammount of time away. Here in the midwest we are kinda lacking in the new methods We always seem 3 - 4 years behind the rest of the world.

I will admit I do have HORRIBLE posture and have been trying to work on it. But I'm so used to slouching. Since then I've also adjusted my seat at work to sit a little higher up so that my knees are perpendicular to the ground. Before my chair was pretty low to the ground.

The pain typically right now is a dull sensation right behind the kneecaps and I know for a fact its my activity level that's caused some of this since I used to be active in martial arts for 4 years and my flexibility was insane. Now I can barely put the tips of my fingers on the ground in front of my toes

When I went to the chiropractor when I was in high school my leg difference was noticeable. Would a PT work better than say a Chiro then? I also wonder if the PT would be covered under my HT insurance. Cause even as I sit here writing this post. My feet are tingly and I can feel it go all the way from the knee down to the toes on the right leg. It happens so often that I typically tune it out.

I hate jumping around from therapist to therapist but I'm giving my current therapist one more try and it seems like the people on here are more clinical then the ones I go to.I never really have conversations detailing the type of work to receive Maybe it's because I'm opting to go to spa's instead of someones private practice?

I'll spin off a new thread asking that question.

 

[cralyn]

I skimmed this thread, so correct me if I am wrong, but you hurt in your hips but you are afraid to ask to have work done there? Please please please ask a therapist to work your hips. Tell him/her you have hip and shoulder pain (which are often related) and show exactly the area you want worked. Describe your pain...dull ache you say? If your therapist bats an eye then keep searching. Hips are important, please do not ignore yours (or let your therapist ignore them either). If you came to my practice I might want the full hour to devote to your hamstrings, glutes, back, pecs, and abs. So just be realistic in what can be accomplished in an hour.

If anyone mentions low back or hip pain to me I make sure to spend more time in the glutes than I normally would in a full body hour session. Typically I might press into the area but will move on to keep my flow. So please do mention it and let your therapist know some other body parts can take one for the team in order to get more thorough work done in the hips and shoulders.

Good luck.

 

[Cloud 9 with bells on!]

cabenn,
Neither Rolfing (Structural Intergration) or NeuroMuscular Therapy (the St. John Method), are particularly new in the world of bodywork.
Rolfing has been around for over 50 years.
http://www.rolf.org
I am not sure how long ago Paul St. John began to develop NeuroMuscular Therapy, but I am guessing over 15-20 years ago.
http://stjohnseminars.com/
Anyway, hopefully these organizations can help you find a Practitioner in your area.

 

[iTz moleman!]

nope, I always ask to work the hips and it helps. I'm not shy when it comes to getting the right help. How can you Mt's do your jobs if we as clients don't speak up


Sorry for not knowing that rolfing has been around for over 50 years I guess the midwest is further back in the times then I thought But it still doesn't change the fact in the poor lil midwest area there's only 3 rolfers in the state

 

[gottcha]

I am not sure how long ago Paul St. John began to develop NeuroMuscular Therapy, but I am guessing over 15-20 years ago.
http://stjohnseminars.com/

Paul St. John got started in 1977. He is no longer with the St. John Seminars program, now owned by HealthQuest Enterprises, due to differences in teaching philosophy.

Paul is developing a new program called Integrative Neurosomatic Therapy. New seminars, videos and certification levels are available at
http://www.neurosomaticeducators.com/

 

[Only by the grace of God]

I get hip pain in the same location on my right hip. It's because I walk funny... my right foot has a tendency to rotate out as I walk. I have to concentrate to correct that.

Check the soles of the shoes you wear the most. Notice where the wear on your heel is occuring. If it's off to the side, you may want to see a podiatrist.

This can be caused by one leg being slightly shorter than the other, and can be corrected by an orthopaedic insert into one of your shoes.

Just a possibility...

 

[tmatme]

Three more suggestions for your hip pain:

OrthoBionomy treatments - Developed by Arthur Lincoln Pauls, DO, uses principals of osteopathy and, of all things, judo to help release muscular spasm, etc. without having to have extremely deep work done.... lots of positional releases that usually work, and work extremely well, within 10-20 seconds. [No, I'm not making that part up, doubted they could work that fast, BUT THEY DO!]

Craniosacral therapy - works with the entire central nervous system, the bones of the skull, and the hips and sacrum. I use CST stillpoint and CSP pelvic diaphragm release positions quite effectively on clients who complain of hip and low back pain with great success.

Tennis Balls - if the pain you are experiencing is where I am envisioning your description to place it, sitting on an ordinary 3/$2.00 at Wal-Mart tennis ball on or as near as possible to the area of pain and discomfort may help. It is a huge yellow-green fuzzy trigger point device when you sit on it... great for sciatic nerve pain too!! Firm enough to apply pressure, soft enough not to harm tissue, and, if need be you can throw it for the dogs, cats, or at the wall and play catch with yourself to relieve stress. Put the tb under the area of discomfort and just sit.... when the trigger point tells the brain "okay, we've got this one!" you may even feel the muscles release their spasm and ease up entirely. [Was sitting on my tennis ball in massage class one night working on severe sciatica - the muscles all let loose at once and, without realizing I did it, I let out a "well, it's about damned time!" right in the middle of a written exam.... darned near flunked that one!]

Hope you find relief soon.