clevermanka: default (minoan)
clevermanka ([personal profile] clevermanka) wrote2011-07-14 10:45 am
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I don't have sciatica

Good news! I went to see a very highly recommended chiropractor/physical therapist yesterday about my hip/butt pain. He said he doesn't think I have sciatica, but Risa was correct in her feeling that it was the beginning of what causes sciatica. I have very tight/inflamed piriformis muscles, possibly caused by some sort of minor vertebrae disc injury, but possibly just, you know, just because.

I have some stability exercises to do twice a day, one re-alignment stretch to do several times a day, and I can resume my lower body workouts with some slight modifications to my squats and lunges (just posture corrections). The only thing I have to completely change is my yoga practice. No more yoga in the morning, unless I have an hour between getting out of bed and the yoga session. Apparently, one's discs are vulnerable first thing in the morning, and doing intensive stretching of the back right away is not the best idea. So. Yoga at night, now. Or on weekend mornings after I've had a chance to putter around the house a bit. I also have to be extra careful how I bend/lean over now. Especially like over a sink to wash my face or reaching down to pick something up off the floor. No more rounding the back!

He did some stretching/pushing stuff that reminded me a lot of some of the rolfing techniques Risa used. Those were pretty intense, and felt great in that oh-sweet-jesus-OW way. I'm scheduled to see him three more times next week (!) and then he thinks I'll be good to go.

During the exercise walk-throughs, he mentioned twice that I had really good form on my squats and changed only one tiny thing (lean back more to put more weight in my heels), and he said I was a "rockstar" at one of the stability moves. Which he then nixed and immediately upgraded me to the more difficult version. That was pretty cool and made me feel less of a big blobby mess.

He also suggested I (sigh) make an appointment to see one of the Doctors Khosh about the Hashimoto's stuff. I've been resisting that so hard because of their use of homeopathy. I guess I should get over it and just give them a chance. Would I refuse to see an acupuncturist or other physician if I knew they believed in astrology? No. Although I would have serious reservations if they used that to treat their patients. But I can always just say I don't want to be treated with X sort of therapy, and if they refuse to work with me, what I have lost (besides more time and money)?

Did I mention I did a big old TRX workout this morning? It felt great. And, thanks to the modified postures, no hip twinges. Hurray!

I'm super thrilled that I don't have sciatica.

[identity profile] pamelonian.livejournal.com 2011-07-14 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
A friend of mine used to go to the Doctors Khosh. They prescribed her some kind of concoction made from, I believe, goat placenta. Snake oil, if you ask me. I totally get your reservations about seeing them. Since they are not covered by insurance and you have to pay for all of their services, maybe they would be more apt to listen if you didn't want X sort of therapy.

I am so glad there is hope for your hip! I used to stretch first thing every morning until I heard somewhere it was a bad thing. Your post is one more confirmation.

[identity profile] clevermanka.livejournal.com 2011-07-14 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I totally get your reservations about seeing them.

All the happy-ending stories I've read on the internet from people with Hashimoto's have ended not at a western doctor's office, but with some sort of alternative therapy. Acupuncture is helping, but I'm still having issues and I'm gaining weight for no reason. =(

I need to try something else. Just gotta decide if my next move is to another endocrinologist or these guys. BLAH.

Yeah, that no-stretching-first-thing is really anti-intuitive. And kind of a drag. I love morning yoga! Looks like it'll be a weekend treat now.