Author: Christy Collins

Hi, I'm Christy! I've navigated my own health challenges, and now I guide others along the same path. I believe that information is power - there's always something you can do.
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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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Anatomy, Chiropractors, Resources, SI Joint Concepts, Strengthening

The goal of strengthening is to maximize your body’s own support system.

Here’s another concept which I wish someone had explained to me differently back in the beginning. As I’ve mentioned in previously, when I first began experiencing SI joint dysfunction, the only people who really seemed to be able to understand my problem were chiropractors. I had one main chiropractor that I went to – Dr. K. – but as time went on I saw a … Continue reading The goal of strengthening is to maximize your body’s own support system.

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Anatomy, For Patients, My Writing, Resources

Why are there so many doctors who treat “the hip,” but not the SI joint?

Okay, so here’s a post I definitely could have used back in the day, so I’m putting it out there in case it helps! *** When I first began to experience SI joint dysfunction, I thought of it as “hip pain.”  After all, in our day to day lives, we usually refer to the region around our pelvis and waist as “the hips.” However, when … Continue reading Why are there so many doctors who treat “the hip,” but not the SI joint?

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