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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Hip/pelvic Pain
Question: Ok.I'll try to make a 9 year ordeal short. I have suffered hip / pelvic pain for 9 years. Been to numerous specialists, had numerous tests, ( MRI, CAT ULTRASOUND, X-RAY ), with no relief. I was finally told it was in my head. The pain in in both hips, comes on fast. Like a ' XXXXXXX horse ' , and nothing helps. I've been on muscle relaxers, Nsaids, cymbalta, and the only thing that works unfortunately is Norco. Anyway, I've been searching online for years, looking for anything that would explain this. Oh I should mention I also have moderate to not ' severe ' but pretty bad lower back pain too. Ok. Well I stumbled on something called Illiopsoas syndrome. I believe I have it. Or at least a part of it....IllIACUS DYSFUNCTION. I fit all the symptoms. My problem is, who do I see to get a diagnosis. My PCM is useless ( sorry but he's a pa..and in his words ' just trying to get to retirement' I am a retired military dependant, and I'm required to go to the military clinic if I live within a certain distance.)
I have gone to a massage therapist who is knowledgeable on ART and myocardial trigger point . And He seems to know what he's doing, but the days and nights following the massages are pure torture, with muscle spasms all night, and nothing helps. It seems to be a case of the cure being more painful than the condition.
So , I wanted to find a Dr. to help me with pain mgmt. But I've done this routine before, and going in and saying my hips hurt just gets you "the look".
There's no physiatrist in my area..so what do you recommend...if anything.
I have gone to a massage therapist who is knowledgeable on ART and myocardial trigger point . And He seems to know what he's doing, but the days and nights following the massages are pure torture, with muscle spasms all night, and nothing helps. It seems to be a case of the cure being more painful than the condition.
So , I wanted to find a Dr. to help me with pain mgmt. But I've done this routine before, and going in and saying my hips hurt just gets you "the look".
There's no physiatrist in my area..so what do you recommend...if anything.
Brief Answer:
Have you considered acupuncture?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
It sounds like you have been suffering a lot and for a long time.
A Physician's Assistant is not a doctor, regardless of how many years of practice he may have.
I would recommend you try the following:
1. Acupuncture: There is a growing body of data that shows that acupuncture can be especially helpful for musculoskeletal problems. While this may not be covered by your military benefits, if you can afford it, I would recommend giving it a try. If possible, find a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who was trained in China, as I think their training is superior to that of TCM acupuncturists who were trained in the US. If you are short on money you may want to skip the herbals they might want to sell you and just have the needles done. I've been told by a good TCM practitioner that if acupuncture is going to work for your problem, you should notice at least some improvement prior to the 4th treatment. If that is not happening, skip it. But acupuncture can be especially helpful for muscle spasms.
2. Physical Therapy if you haven't tried this already. PTs are excellent at diagnosing musculoskeletal problems, and may have some exercises or other modalities to recommend. They can also recommend an orthopedic surgeon if they think that would be helpful, and suggest a good one to go to.
3.Chiropractic Manipulation. In my patients, I've found that chiropractic work often helps patients when I refer them to a chiropractor after a sudden physical trauma such as a car accident. Some people get benefit for other musculoskeletal problems as well.
I kind of doubt that your pain is just in your head. On my first day of medical school we were given a little booklet on medical ethics and philosophy and one thing in particular I remember: "The more medically knowledgeable a physician is, the less likely he or she will think that their patient is a crackpot."
If, after going to the message therapist you have muscle spasms, I am going to assume you have some very real musculoskeletal abnormality going on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can share further information.
Have you considered acupuncture?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
It sounds like you have been suffering a lot and for a long time.
A Physician's Assistant is not a doctor, regardless of how many years of practice he may have.
I would recommend you try the following:
1. Acupuncture: There is a growing body of data that shows that acupuncture can be especially helpful for musculoskeletal problems. While this may not be covered by your military benefits, if you can afford it, I would recommend giving it a try. If possible, find a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner who was trained in China, as I think their training is superior to that of TCM acupuncturists who were trained in the US. If you are short on money you may want to skip the herbals they might want to sell you and just have the needles done. I've been told by a good TCM practitioner that if acupuncture is going to work for your problem, you should notice at least some improvement prior to the 4th treatment. If that is not happening, skip it. But acupuncture can be especially helpful for muscle spasms.
2. Physical Therapy if you haven't tried this already. PTs are excellent at diagnosing musculoskeletal problems, and may have some exercises or other modalities to recommend. They can also recommend an orthopedic surgeon if they think that would be helpful, and suggest a good one to go to.
3.Chiropractic Manipulation. In my patients, I've found that chiropractic work often helps patients when I refer them to a chiropractor after a sudden physical trauma such as a car accident. Some people get benefit for other musculoskeletal problems as well.
I kind of doubt that your pain is just in your head. On my first day of medical school we were given a little booklet on medical ethics and philosophy and one thing in particular I remember: "The more medically knowledgeable a physician is, the less likely he or she will think that their patient is a crackpot."
If, after going to the message therapist you have muscle spasms, I am going to assume you have some very real musculoskeletal abnormality going on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can share further information.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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