Repetitive Strain Injury/low back pain right side

Advertisement

Expert: Julie Donnelly, LMT - 7/14/2007


Question
Hi, I've been having pain on my right side just above or around the dimples on my buttock. It's mostly aggrivated when I sit in the car or on a chair that is deep and then my psoas feels tight. I've done phys therapy, chiro and accupuncture with no real improvement. I think it's a spasm in my QL. When I press on it in the center point between my ribs and hip I feel a point of pain. Trigger point that might be shortening my muscle when sitting sand referring pain to my saco joint do you think? I've tried self therapy to no real avail. Do you think a trigger point injection might release the spasm? Thanks MUCH!!!

Answer
Hi Rick,

Your assessment that it is the QL muscle is very possibly correct, but it can be caused by the iliopsoas and quadriceps contracting and rotating the pelvis forward and down.  This would then cause the QL to have to contract and shorten in order for it to work.

Have you already gone to http://www.julstro.com to read about repetitive strain injuries and how they refer to areas throughout the body?  Pay special attention to the sections titled "Muscles and Pain," and "What's Happening Exactly."

I've found that often people do self-treatments, but they either aren't going to the real source of the problem, or they aren't treating the muscle deeply enough or in the right order. For example, before you can treat the QL you need to first release the tension in the quadriceps, and then the tension in the iliopsoas.  If you either skip these two steps, or do them in reverse order, it won't work.  I've worked with many thousands of people who were able to release the trigger points.  I believe you can do them too, especially since you seem to be so knowledgeable, it would likely only be a little shift in how you are doing the self-treatments and you'd also be successful.

Wishing you well,
   Julie Donnelly

Repetitive Strain Injury

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Julie Donnelly, LMT

Expertise

I can accept questions that relate to chronic or acute pain caused by muscle spasms and contractions. Repetitive Strain Injury is actually Cumulative Trauma to muscles. Releasing the spasm &/or contraction will relieve the strain that is felt at the insertion point on the bone.

Experience

Since 199 I have been working with endurance athletes and individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions. I have authored seven self-treatment books and three self-treatment DVDs and I have developed the Julstro System for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Trigger Finger, and other Hand/Wrist pain. I am a national and international presenter at conventions, seminars, and workshops. Principle topics are "Work Shouldn't Hurt" and "The Pain Free Athlete" In 2005 and 2006 I was the massage therapist for ultracyclists competing in the Race Across America (RAAM) 3000+ mile race from San Diego, CA to Atlantic City, NJ

Publications
Triathlete Magazine, Endurance Magazine, multiple national and international trade journals.

Education/Credentials
Swedish Institute of Allied Health, NY, NY - Initial education in massage therapy Licensed NYS Massage Therapist since 1989 SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY - B.S. degree in Interdisciplinary Health Education I was an Associate Professor helping to develop the massage training program for SUNY Rockland Community College

Past/Present Clients
Privacy prevents me from filling in this section without prior consent from my clients. Life Experience: I have been specializing in the treatment of chronic pain and sports injuries since receiving my NY massage license in 1989. A personal bout with carpal tunnel syndrome was the catalyst to my developing a self-treatment that heals CTS quickly and without surgery. My work with endurance athletes was the inspiration to teach people how to self-treat so they could stop pains even during a race or heavy training day. Both of these situations ultimately became the products that are sold on my websites http://www.carpaltunneltreatment.org and http://www.julstro.com. I currently have a private practice in Chapel Hill, NC (http://www.SportMassageChapelHill.com)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.