20 Months of Pain Getting Worse

by Trisha Laffan
(Surrey UK)

I think it may have started at the gym when I overdid an exercise on a hip-flexing machine. I had a pain in my groin and down the inside of my right leg for a couple of days.

Soon after I developed a very slight but irritating pain which I thought was my ovaries. It didn't go away, I saw my doctor and had an internal scan. Nothing. The pain got worse and never let up but only hurt when I moved and tensed my muscles. It did not hurt when passively moved.

A few months on I started to get a stiff back which often happens if I sit or drive for long periods but it didn't go away. It got worse. I now have pain when walking, standing up, bending down, or lifting right leg... almost every move I make. I sometimes have pain in the groin, then up around pelvic bone through to back.

To date I've had X-rays, an MRI, and blood tests. I've seen rheumatologists, gynecologists and an orthopedic consultant. The most recent test was a CT scan. I'm seeing a consultant for results next week.

I intend to take your articles to show him because they describe exactly what I have been experiencing and I just don't understand why nobody has thought of it before. My daughter-in-law who is a nurse suggested I look up the psoas muscle and everything I have read seems to fit.

I am now getting a pinging or clicking sensation when I get up from sitting and when I twist. I live in the UK and you are, I think, American but please any advice would be appreciated.

Trisha Laffan

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Jan 02, 2012
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Might Be Iliacus Dysfunction
by: Stephen of Lower Back Pain Answers

Hi Trisha,

It might well be iliacus dysfunction you're suffering from. I'm trying to write about this issue on the site as much as possible as well as construct "at-home" therapy protocols with stretching and strengthening.

However, in many cases, dysfunction of the iliacus and/or psoas does require some amount of gentle hands-on therapy. When these muscles become ischemic, they have trouble getting out of their own way without some gentle but direct therapy.

I provide a basic protocol for therapists here...

Instructions for Iliopsoas Treatment

I hope you are able to find a massage therapist or physiotherapist that might be able to apply this protocol.

Please stay tuned for further developments at Lower Back Pain Answers through my RSS feed and/or my newsletter, Back Answers.

Best,

Stephen at LBPA

Feb 18, 2012
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2 years of pain and misdiagnosis
by: Angela Rogers

I have had a similar experience to Trish. I have seen my gynecologist, gastro, ortho, hip, spine doctors and had 3 months of PT to tighten and strengthen my glutes.

I have changed up my workout routine and given up running for other cardio machines as well as taking up yoga. Nothing has helped and some things have made it worse.

The hip doctor told me he saw nothing on the MRI and I would just have to figure out what is causing my pain and he sent me away with an anti- inflammatory which I have taken several times without much relief.

I am now in search of a therapist who has experience with this condition who hopefully is covered under my insurance. Massage therapists are not.

I am very active and love to exercise and giving up running for the last 6 months is killing me. The pain causes me to not sleep well which poses other issues. Any info or feedback would be helpful.

Sincerely,

Angela Rogers

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Stephen O'Dwyer, cnmt

Neuromuscular Therapist & Pain Relief Researcher

Stephen O'Dwyer, CNMT

FOUNDER

Lower Back Pain Answers

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POSTURAL BLUEPRINT FOR CORRECTING PELVIC TORSION: The Complete Guide To Restoring Pelvic Balance (2022)

STRETCHING BLUEPRINT FOR PAIN RELIEF & BETTER FLEXIBILITYThe Complete Guide to Pain-Free Muscles Using Active Isolated Stretching (2020)

HEALING THE HIDDEN ROOT OF PAINSelf-Treatment for Iliopsoas Syndrome (2013)

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