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Monday, April 20, 2009

How can I avoid getting "tin hips" (hip replacements)?


Gary
During the last 18months or so I have had several (3 or 4) instances of hip joint soreness.This has been after more than two hours of exercise :running,tramping and skiing. It has not been a severe pain merely an irritation causing minor limping. Talking with peers who have had hip replacements makes me wonder whether I'm in for a tin hip myself - if I don't prevent this getting worse.

Years ago I used to have knee pain problems but with regular glucosamine (currently Nutralife Joint Factors 4500) use the knees have been totally painfree. Any recommendations re tin hip avoidance? I'm 67,running 1-2 hours about 3x a week,tramping 30-40 days per year (no more heavy packs) and ski also some 30 days per year...and would like to continue for some time yet!
Regards
Peter
__________________
Gary responds:
Peter, itis all good news: The pain you are describing and the kind of activities you are involved in suggest that the cause is probably spasm of the backside muscles, radiating down the outer side of the hips.

Often called "runner's hip", "iliotibial band syndrome" or "hip bursitis" and sometimes "sacroiliac joint pain". You probabaly have a bit of the lot!

That the taking of glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM has alleviated your knee pain but not your hip pain is a further indication of the causes being soft tissue rather than bone and cartilage.

The solutions lie in reducing the inflammation and spasm which you will feel as a tenderness upon firm pressing or rubbing deeply into the affected areas:
Nutrients
  • Reduce inflammation by taking plant antioxidants three times daily (In this case the best one at best value is Nutralife Fruitful Greens).
  • Reduce muscle spasm with a 3 times a day dose of Agewise Coenzyme Q-10. Q-10 is at the heart of mitochondrial function and the closest yet to the Fountain of Youth. It is also a powerful antioxidant.
  • Complete an Active Elements assessment via this website and take the tissue salts formulation that is prescribed for you.
  • Keep taking the JF 4500 for healthy joints (all available off this website store).
Massage
Get a once weekly deep tissue massage of the backside, low back and all of the thigh muscles. Look for a strong and experienced massage therapist. Give preference to a large, hairy person with meaty hands and a name like Olga or Igor. Start this about two weeks after you have started taking the nutrients.

You may feel sore for 3-5 days after the first few sessions; but there should be a notable improvement in pain levels after about the 3rd. Give it about 6 sessions to be sure it is going to work.

Stretching
I am displaying several exercises that are beneficial for stretching and mobilising the muscles about the hips and low back. Do these most days.

Please let us know how you get on.
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2 comments:

Wayne said...

I've been told , that stretching should be done only after excercise , as stretching before exercise hwen they are colder, can make muscles more likely to tear.

Ernest said...

A stretching routine can be done quite comfortably in the mid to late afternoon without exercise other than going about your normal duties and activities even if they are fairly sedentary. At this time of day your body will be at it's most flexible and hopefully warmed up from walking and moving. If one is not particulary flexible, then caution and common sense should prevail. Stretch gently without strain and with regular practice you will find it a very enjoyable experience, even if it's for only five or ten minutes.