Why do “perfectly good” exercises sometimes not help?

I haven’t written a ton on my multiple physical therapy failures yet, because unfortunately there are so many. For now, let me just say that my physical therapist Paula, who finally helped me, was actually the fifth physical therapist I saw over the course of this journey. The first four offered varying degrees of helpfulness vs. unhelpfulness, but ultimately what it came down to was that they just didn’t … Continue reading Why do “perfectly good” exercises sometimes not help?

Christy CollinsNovember 28, 2017December 8, 20174 Comments

My Story, Resources

My experience seeing an orthopedist, and why I didn’t pursue lidocaine or cortisone injections

Hi everyone! For some reason this subject has come up a lot in my emails to readers recently, so I thought it was high time I give it its own post. *** At one point into my journey– I’d say it was probably about two years into the whole five year saga– I made an appointment with an orthopedist. I’d already seen one physiatrist, who … Continue reading My experience seeing an orthopedist, and why I didn’t pursue lidocaine or cortisone injections

Christy CollinsNovember 21, 2017November 21, 20172 Comments

Stretching

The #1 most important stretch that I do: single leg knee-to-chest

Hi everyone! I’ve mentioned this stretch previously (have you seen my post on Stretching and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?). However I believe this stretch so important, I decided to give it its own post. I started doing this stretch regularly about six months into my battle, and although the saga obviously did continue for quite a while, I found that adding it in to my routine … Continue reading The #1 most important stretch that I do: single leg knee-to-chest

Christy CollinsNovember 16, 2017May 20, 2020Leave a comment

exercise, Resources, Stretching

Stretches for the hamstrings, and how to protect the SI joints while stretching

Hey everyone! I’ve been getting a ton of requests for info on the stretches that helped me recover from SI joint dysfunction. In this post, I thought I’d focus specifically on the hamstrings. The hamstrings are a pretty major muscle group in the body– they run up and down the back of your thigh, connecting the back of your knee to the bottom of the … Continue reading Stretches for the hamstrings, and how to protect the SI joints while stretching

Christy CollinsNovember 10, 2017January 22, 20229 Comments

For Patients, Resources

SI joint awareness is growing– check out this article from TIME Magazine

My God. We have come so far from the days when I could hardly find any information on the SI joint, and felt like such a freak. I recently discovered this awesome article on the SI joint from TIME magazine: How your butt can hurt your back (what a title!). It’s kind of accurate, though. I find it so validating to find more and more … Continue reading SI joint awareness is growing– check out this article from TIME Magazine

Christy CollinsOctober 23, 2017October 10, 20174 Comments

For Patients, My Writing, Resources, Stretching

Stretching and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Hey everyone! You might have noticed that a theme to my posts recently: how to do the things you need to do to get better, without also re-spraining your ligaments at the same time. In this post, we’re going to talk about stretching, which was another important factor in my recovery. As I mentioned in my last post about massage, every few months throughout my saga, I’d find … Continue reading Stretching and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Christy CollinsOctober 18, 2017July 15, 20246 Comments

For Patients, ligaments, My Writing, Resources

Massage and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Update, August 2022: A lot has changed for me, since I learned how to stabilize my SI joints. I’m happy to say that I’ve moved past needing regular massages. I wanted to leave this post up so you can see my whole journey, but to see how I’m doing now, go here. *** And now, the original post. *** Okay, so here’s a somewhat tricky … Continue reading Massage and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Christy CollinsOctober 16, 2017August 2, 20224 Comments

Anatomy, For Patients, ligaments, Resources

Ways to stabilize your ligaments: strengthening, SI joint belts, and taping techniques

One of the biggest things you need to keep in mind, in terms of stabilizing your SI joints, is allowing any potential ligament sprains in the area to heal. How can you stabilize your ligaments? There are a few different ways to you can look at this issue. Let’s examine them in more detail: Modifying your movement patterns and daily activities to avoid re-spraining the … Continue reading Ways to stabilize your ligaments: strengthening, SI joint belts, and taping techniques

Christy CollinsOctober 12, 2017December 7, 2020Leave a comment

Manual Therapy, Muscle Energy Technique, Physical Therapy, Resources

Finally, a decent video of someone using the Muscle Energy Technique for the SI joint!

I couldn’t believe I stumbled upon this video tonight… apparently it was posted in 2012. This is only useful video of someone using the Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for the SI joint I’ve seen so far. It’s from Jon Schumacher. Compared to all the others I’ve sifted through over the years, this video actually illustrates the principles that I use (thank you Jon!). As I … Continue reading Finally, a decent video of someone using the Muscle Energy Technique for the SI joint!

Christy CollinsOctober 10, 2017October 10, 20178 Comments

Chiropractors, Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, Resources

What I think chiropractic has to offer

My friend Paul briefly dated a chiropractor once, a few years ago. We all went out to dinner one night and I basically asked her as many questions as I could about what it was like to be a chiropractor without crossing the line into being annoying. (At least, I hope I didn’t cross the line!). I was just so curious– after all the chiropractors I’ve … Continue reading What I think chiropractic has to offer

Christy CollinsOctober 6, 2017October 8, 2017Leave a comment