Mal-Alignment

[caz]

Hi there

I'm not a physio so can't give you advice I'm afraid...


Your shape looks very similar to mine though - I too have mild scoliosis and a tilted/twisted pelvis - so my right hip is higher and my right leg appears longer, my right shoulder is higher and my head sits to one side of my neck... My symptoms though are slightly different - my main problem is pain in my lower back and around my right hip.

Also like you, I've been to lots of different physios, chiropractors etc....they have all given up on me in the end and I've now accepted that nothing can be done to fix the problem, and it is just a matter of trying to manage the pain.

There is a very knowledgeable physio on here though (sorry, can't remember the name) who says that it IS possible to correct this alignment problem. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find anyone local to me who knows how to do this....

I hope you have better luck than me. I know how frustrating and debilitating it is to be in pain all the time

[estherderu]

dear bobby,

Do not give up just yet.
One of the interesting things about chinese medicine is that they always ask you, what was going on in your life when your problems started.
De initiate problems could be ( in part) the "result" of changing jobs including perhaps changes in physical postures, it could be a new drug prescribed to you, a stressful situation (+ and - ones) etc etc. I know of many patients who have noticed this. Going back in time in your own mind might give you a hint into the background of your problem.
The problem in the Anglo-Saxon world is that most physio´s have specialized and it might not be easy to find an old fashioned "generalist" who can look at the whole picture/ person- not just at your musculoskeletal parts.

Lots of people have a scoliosis, and they sometimes have pain and just as often not.... it depends on many things including the way you treat your own body. The only way to really give you advice is to see you, hear your history and assess you and that cannot be done online.

Try asking the staff of your regional University Physiotherapy Education Departement, they must have a professor specialized in assessment or they will know some names .

Good luck.

Esther

[caz]

dear bobby,

Do not give up just yet.
One of the interesting things about chinese medicine is that they always ask you, what was going on in your life when your problems started.
De initiate problems could be ( in part) the "result" of changing jobs including perhaps changes in physical postures, it could be a new drug prescribed to you, a stressful situation (+ and - ones) etc etc. I know of many patients who have noticed this. Going back in time in your own mind might give you a hint into the background of your problem.
The problem in the Anglo-Saxon world is that most physio´s have specialized and it might not be easy to find an old fashioned "generalist" who can look at the whole picture/ person- not just at your musculoskeletal parts.

Lots of people have a scoliosis, and they sometimes have pain and just as often not.... it depends on many things including the way you treat your own body. The only way to really give you advice is to see you, hear your history and assess you and that cannot be done online.

Try asking the staff of your regional University Physiotherapy Education Departement, they must have a professor specialized in assessment or they will know some names .

Good luck.

Esther

Thats a very interesting point about the Chinese medicine approach. I have recently started going to a Chinese practitioner for sessions which entail acupuncture, acupressure, cupping and massage. I feel worse for a day or two after I've had the treatment, but then my symptoms improve for 2 or 3 days. Unfortunately the effects don't last, but I've been told that there is a cumulative effect, so I'm going to continue with a few more sessions (I've had 4 sessions so far) and see if I can get it to last longer.

So Bobby - it might be worth you trying this too, if you have also found 'traditional' physio approaches to be of limited help.

Another thing I've found has helped me is the Alexander Technique - in very basic terms, this is to do with your posture (although there is actually a lot more to it than that, and it can also help you cope with the psychological aspects of pain). You could have a look on this site to find AT teachers in your area: www.statsearch.co.uk

I don't want to be pessimistic, but it may be that you won't find anyone who can 'cure' your problem, but there are things you can do to help manage the pain. So don't give up and try to stay positive. I know this is easier said than done - I got very depressed last year because of the pain I was in, and I can see now that there is a very clear relation between your psychological state and your perception of pain, so it is very important to try to maintain a positive approach.

Good luck with whatever you try x