Because of the severe state of my scoliosis, I do experience chronic pain. Some days are definitely better than others, but nothing I've tried yet has alleviated my discomfort entirely. The best solution I've experienced thus far is yoga. It's been great. However, I know I need to add something to the mix since I've been in some major pain as of late. (I think with all the sitting on my butt I do for this project does my body a disservice, too, so I need to make some adjustments there).
ANYHOW...as you know, while I'm steeped in Living Oprah, I turn to Oprah.com when I seek answers to my everyday problems and questions. Because of what I found online, in combination with a rerun I saw this season with Dr. Oz, I decided to get rolfed. It's going to be intense and also a financial investment, but I need to do something to help myself to feel better.
My first appointment is mid-week. I'll let you know how it goes if I can still move my arms afterwards.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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16 comments:
It is kinda crazy if this project is affecting your serious back injury. Your whole life doesn't have to revolve around Oprah.
I started theraputic massage about a year ago for chronic shoulder and neck pain. It is deep tissue not as intense as Rolfing but has done wonders. I also began going to realignment yoga. One of the poses I learned was for releasing the fascia around the quad and it hurt like hell the first couple of times but did wonders for my knees.
Good luck with it.
Please report back on whether your therapist pushes you in any way towards the wackier types of "alternative" therapies.
Yoga is definitely a help for scoliosis. Check out Elise Miller's website. She's a well-known senior Iyengar yoga instructor who has written a couple of good yoga books and has a DVD that deals with spine curvature.
Yoga that emphasizes alignment will do more to help your problem than anything else.
I can recommend acupuncture, too. I know people who tried rolfing years ago, and they spoke highly of the results, but they did say it was an extremely painful process.
You might try Zen Yoga. It blends the gentle flowing movements of tai chi with simple stretches and deep breathing. You need to get more energy moving through your body to help the healing process work properly.
I went through the whole Rolfing series about 10 years ago, and I loved it. I did it when I was first embarking on yoga practice, and it gave me a lot of flexibility and left-right balance that I needed to go further in my practice. It hurt, but in a GOOOOOD way.
thanks anon - ah, but life effects my back. it's a chronic condition. i can't stop life for it, i just need to figure out how to get myself comfortable! thanks for the concern!
anniegirl1138 - i think therapeutic yoga is a life saver, too. i'm so glad your knees are better. was it IT band stuff?
dave hodgkinson - you got it. i have A LOT to say on this topic for sure!
wildwoodwaitress - i've studied with elise. she is lovely. i'm a yoga teacher who has even worked with her to learn how to teach others with my condition. that's great you think so highly of her. i TOTALLY agree! xo
paula - i might go back to acupuncture. i tried it on its own years ago, but never used it in combination with other modalities.
aaron - i'm a yoga teacher and i've never even heard of zen yoga! i'll look into it. thank you.
sphinxie - this is what i'm hoping. i am ready for the intensity (i say, gulping), because it's worth it to regain some painfree days!
xoLO
Good luck! I hope it works for you and doesn't leave you wanting to rolf...aka vomit.
jurl - i was waiting for SOMEONE to make that joke. thank you for not letting me down. :) xoLO
I'm sorry to hear about your chronic pain; I, too, suffered from chronic pain for five years. I would have tried ANYTHING to fight it, so I can understand why you're doing the Rolfing. God bless.
thanks dawn-michelle. it's really nice to hear support. it sounds like you found relief, which makes me thrilled for you...and hopeful for myself! xoLO
Yes, Yoga for Scoliosis can help.
I don't know where you live, but my partner and I have opened the only dedicated center in the world for Yoga for Backcare and Scoliosis at 32 West 28th street, NY NY 10016. (We both trained with Elise Miller.)
We have a lot of students like you and they do well working knowledgeably with their spinal asymmetry or disk herniation or other issues.
Rolfing can make a difference too. In fact, one our teachers is also a Rolfer.
You can visit us at www.yogaunionbackcare.com.
All the best,
Alison West
Co-Director
Yoga Union Center for Backcare & Scoliosis
Alison! I worked with Deborah at Kripalu this summer. She was assisting Elise Browning Miller. Small world. I'm in Chicago, but next time I'm in NYC, I will absolutely come by for class. I've already referred a couple folks to you. Deborah was wonderful.
All the best!
Hi. I also have scoliosis that causes chronic pain, and rolfing actually made things much worse for me. So much so that I had to stop mid-series and see my chiropractor so she could "fix" me. Good luck and proceed carefully.
I have done a variety of types of yoga and eventually settled on Iyengar Yoga, which I have practiced for over 10 years. I believe the great strengths of Iyengar Yoga are that the teachers are very highly trained and tested, and that BKS Iyengar devoted a lot of his time, expertise and genius to developing the therapeutic use of yoga for various physical and mental ailments. I have used yoga for stress relief, and also to heal a bad back.
Deborah Rummelhart, author of Where Are My Ankles? How Iyengar Yoga Rescued Me From Stress, Fear and a Very Bad Back. Read sample chapters and get a coupon for a free yoga class honored at 45 yoga studios nationwide at http://www.funnypath.com .
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