First Physio - at last answers

Had my first physio (PT) session last week and at last after months of hell, feel as if I’m starting to get some answers. This forum has been one of the things that has helped keep me going. The physio said that my stomach was permanently clenched ( I had no idea feels so normal to me!) probably going back to when I had IBS at 21 – I’m 47 now. My pelvis is permanently clenched too and in the wrong position. She found a weakness in my lower back, worse on the left hand side, loads of trigger points on my back, backside and legs! She said that there will definitely be some internal ones too & she’s going to tackle those once she’s got my back sorted out. She massaged my back and did some trigger point releasing & immediately the pain in my left leg & back has eased. She also corrected my posture & has given me some exercises to do as well as practising releasing pelvis & stomach which feels so strange. Very early days but at least it’s something to work with….

Hi there,

I have exactly the same thing as you. Took me a long time to get my answers too. My abdomen in tight also, probably due to the abdomen fascia (skin that surrounds all muscles) is shared with the pelvis, so they are kind of in one sack. I've done physio, chiro, light touch myofascial release, and exercise physiology. Are you hyper flexible in your lower limbs out of interest?

Hi

Thanks for your reply. I've always been told I'm very flexible at various medicals, by the physio etc but no-one has ever said hyper flexible. My hips, knees & feet also click alot!
How are you getting on? What has helped you the most?

Hi

You can have a look at The Beighton score for hyperflexibility

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Joint-hypermobility/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx

All of them have helped in there own way I guess, but I think the light touch myofascial massage has been the best as it does not cause any pain yet releases the muscles quite a bit. Still early days!

If you have Hypermobility issues you get diagnosed at Rheumatology and they look at your elbows, knees, spine, wrists and fingers and they expect to find elbows and knees that hyperextend so bend backwards, you likely would be able to place your palms flat on the floor without bending your knees and some people have fingers that easily bend backwards or can touch the thumb to the forearm. They also take into consideration any family history of it as it's hereditory and how long you've been in pain plus how many joints give you pain to establish if you have Hypermobility Syndrome as opposed to just being hypermobile. The only bit I can't do is my fingers don't easily bend backwards but there are lots of other bits on me that are too loose but aren't part of the test so it depends on the Rheumy as to whether they examine those.

Thanks for the link & Sarah thanks of the info. I used to be able to place hands flat on floor - I've done a lot of yoga in my time & I can bend my little fingers back 90 degrees. I can't do the others thou...

Had a flare up in the pain in my lower back / backside since Tuesday - had to take time off as too painful to sit down even with the donut cushion I use in the office...So fed-up with it all. I don't know is this because of the physio wearing off or as a result of it? or neither? I've got another appointment Wednesday so I'm hoping she'll be able to ease it....

Sounds like an SI joint issue to me. Have you got a trigger point ball to use in between sessions? I'm not sure where you're from but if it's the UK Chelston Direct do an excellent one for £10 which won't squash or break in two like a tennis ball does. I've also got some firm spikey ones that are great at getting the trigger points in the glute medius to give a bit.

Hi Kathy100
I am seeing a pain specialist on the 4th April, as i have tried amitriptyline and gabapentin and neither of them worked. My gynocologist told me there was nothing else he could do for me, so has refered me to this pain specialist instead. I am 49 and i also have ibs, endometriosis, now vulvodynia, Which i was diagnosed with early last year. I also had some blood tests done last week to check my autoimmune system, as i had follicles removed from my cervix and an erosion.
So could be something going on there? Feeling bit happier about seeing the Specialst now that i know it has helped. I read on another site that it can help up to 60% of women with vulvodynia, so heres hoping! I have also bought some anal vibrators from Ann Summers as smaller than a normal vibrator and thought might help with stretching the muscles and relaxing them in my vulva. Have you tried anything like that? Or has anyone else on here? I was going to buy those dilators that you can order, that come in different sizes. But bit expensive if dont work! i will keep you posted on how i get on with the Specialist. Hope you keep finding relief. It would be fab to have pain free sex again with my husband. He is soo patient bless hm. Take carexx

Hi Sarah, Thanks for your reply. I do have a spiky trigger point ball about the same size as a tennis ball that I got from Amazon but must admit I'm not using it every day - I'll have to get more disciplined! It certainly digs into the pain. I've got my second physio appointment this afternoon so I'll ask her about SI joints.

Hi dmilly01 - thanks for your support. I have IBS also. My doctor first tried my on amitriptyline when she was at a loss at what to try next! It did help with the burning pain but I couldn't cope with the side effects. I then saw a pain specialist & he put me on notriptyline (which is the same class of drugs as ami with fewer side effects) - this has helped a lot with the burning pain. I tried lidocaine too which worked for a couple of days but then made the burning worse than ever. I can't seem to tolerate any creams down there now. He has also referred me to the physio which I'm hoping is going to sort out my tense muscles. I haven't tried dilators yet but I've read several other posts on this site where people have used them and it's helped. Good luck with your pain specialist and let us know how you get on.

Take care xx Kathy