Injured International Hockey Player

by Sailor Shaz
(Brisbane, Australia)

I was an extremely fit international hockey player and one day I finished a game and was very stiff. My back had seized up and I could hardly walk. I got in my car and drove home in agony, then had to be helped out of my car.

I ended up in bed for 2 days unable to move. It felt like something was trapping a nerve. Also the whole of right side of my lower spine and across the top of my right hip was very painful. I was told I would be in a wheelchair if I continued playing hockey and so I retired from sport immediately.

I thought I had deterioration of the spine because I'd played hockey for 15 years. I received physiotherapy but there was no definite diagnosis. A friend had a similar pain and ended up having to fuse 2 discs due to a damaged cartilage and bone spur pressing on the nerve. But I was told my issue wasn't that, but rather just shortened ligaments. I've become depressed, I don't recognize myself, and have put on 15kg. I can hardly bend over for more than a few seconds and I feel like a 90 year old lady with osteoporosis and severe arthritis.

My life as I knew it came to an abrupt end. I have suffered for 15 years now and when I went sailing at the weekend the same pain happened and I was crippled for 2 days. I am supposed to be competing in a global yacht race next year and if I cant do 1 day of sailing then I can't go on this trip.

I saw your article and was relieved that it described what I am feeling. At last it is starting to make sense. I can see my injury explained in full and that there's a suitable treatment.

I have never had a CT scan to establish bone spurs and will be seeing a chiropractor today to get some X-rays. I will try to find a suitable therapist to be able to do the treatment you recommend. I live in Brisbane, Australia. I hope this solves the mystery and I can get my life back together.

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Jan 23, 2012
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The Road Back from Iliopsoas Syndrome
by: Stephen of Lower Back Pain Answers

I was sorry to hear that you've had such a long and rough go of it these last 15 years with this problem. But hopefully the problem has now been identified...

Iliopsoas Syndrome can take many shapes and sizes, but the thing that most people have in common when suffering from it is that there's no clear allopathic diagnosis.

The reason for that is because most physicians only receive minimal training with problems having to do with the musculoskeletal system.

It's great to hear you'll be getting some treatment in the coming days and weeks. Don't hesitate to encourage your therapist to contact me if the instructions I've outlined are not clear.

Wishing you the best!

Stephen @ LBPA

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Hi Stephen,

I have seen a chiropractor today and shown her your article. She has agreed some of this is related to my injury. I would love to get back to being really fit and strong again.

Some of the treatment she has carried out and my hip and lower back is less stiff and not aching... Better after one treatment! I had X-rays today to rule out bone spurs or damaged vertebra.

I will give you further feedback when I see her again in a few days. I hope it is good news and I can continue to get some further treatment to breakdown all the scar tissue and repair the damage.

I am pretty sore after the treatment but I feel so much benefit after one session. I have a long way to go but it gives me a lot of hope. She has lots of new techniques and is relishing the project to get me better.

Sailor Shaz
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Hi again,

So great to hear you've some success after one treatment. Stay patient and you will be able to rid yourself of this issue.

Best,

Stephen @ LBPA

Oct 02, 2012
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Results: I Feel Great
by: Anonymous

I have since visited a specialist remedial massage therapist in conjunction with the chiropractor and he found several muscles that were in spasm and were causing my spine to misalign. Once treated, I haven’t had to go back to the chiropractor.

I now can stand straight, bend and play sport. I don’t wake up stiff as board anymore. I feel like he performed a miracle.

I have gone 3 months now with no recurrence after 15 years in pain. I feel so much better but still have low energy levels so I’m building my fitness up again. My next challenge!

Once I get my energy back there will be no stopping me. Now I know how to get this problem treated with excellent results

Thank you so much for your article. I have my life back.

Oct 02, 2012
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Results I feel great
by: Anonymous

Since reading your article I have visited a specialist remedial massage therapist in conjunction with the chiropractor and he found several muscles that were in spasm which was causing my spine to be misaligned.

Since being treated by him I haven't had to go back to the chiropractor. My abdomen on my right side was pulling me to the right. It was cramped and shortened and very tense and painful to touch.

Once the massage therapist released the spasm by applying intense pressure and holding for 10 seconds while I perfected breathing correctly to relax, the muscles all relaxed.

I can stand up straight now, bend and also play sport. I don't wake up stiff as board anymore. I feel like he has performed a miracle.

I have gone 3 months now with now recurrence. I feel so much better but still have low energy levels so I'm building my fitness up again, my next challenge. Once I get my energy back there will be no stopping me. Now I know how to get this problem treated with excellent results.

Thank you so much for your article. I have my life back.

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Stephen O'Dwyer, cnmt

Neuromuscular Therapist & Pain Relief Researcher

Stephen O'Dwyer, CNMT

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