Lumbar fusion and SI joint dysfunction

  Hi everyone! So… scientific studies regarding SI joint dysfunction have really been on my mind recently. I’ve seen too many people on social media (and also met one doctor in person) making generalized statements about how SI joint dysfunction isn’t a real thing. That the SI joint doesn’t move (at all). That it’s virtuallyContinue reading “Lumbar fusion and SI joint dysfunction”

My Interview with Spine Universe :)

Hi everyone! Here’s a slightly different type of post for you today.  I wanted to make sure anyone who was interested had a chance to read my interview with SpineUniverse (it’s a website about back pain). I was really flattered when they contacted me last month to ask if I wanted to share my story ofContinue reading “My Interview with Spine Universe :)”

Becoming self-reliant

One of the questions people ask me most often is “How are you doing now?”. I’ve just answered some of the specific questions about what I can and can’t do, and my activity level now, in this post. But what I wanted to talk to you about today is a very important component of myContinue reading “Becoming self-reliant”

How to find a good physical therapist, Part 1: Persistence

One of the questions people ask me most frequently is “How do I find a physical therapist who can treat the SI joint?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question is almost as complicated as my answers to any of the more scientific questions people ask me. I thought I’d break everything I’ve learned about thisContinue reading “How to find a good physical therapist, Part 1: Persistence”

If you’re reading this, give yourself a pat on the back.

Hi everyone! I wanted to send out a different type of post today– one that’s a little more personal. I’ve been hearing from so many of you recently, through email, Facebook, as well as comments on my blog. And you’re all asking really great questions– so great I practically end up writing entire  posts whenContinue reading “If you’re reading this, give yourself a pat on the back.”

How exactly does the Muscle Energy Technique work?

Hello, everyone.  I’ve noticed that my page on the Muscle Energy Technique is one of my pages that gets the most traffic from search engines.   It seems like a topic people are really searching for answers on, so I figured I’d try to explain some more of the specifics. I use the Muscle EnergyContinue reading “How exactly does the Muscle Energy Technique work?”

My awesome stretching table

As I mentioned in my post about developing a thorough stretching routine, part of the reason it took me so long to heal is that I didn’t really have a proper space to do my land-based exercises and stretches. A lot of the exercises and stretches I knew I should be doing required me toContinue reading “My awesome stretching table”

What is Prolotherapy? (and why I didn’t end up having it).

A reader asked me if I’d ever had prolotherapy yesterday, and since I’ve been meaning to write about it for a while, now seems like the right time to put this out there! What is prolotherapy? Prolotherapy is a relatively new form of treatment, meant to speed the healing of sprained ligaments. It involves anContinue reading “What is Prolotherapy? (and why I didn’t end up having it).”

Labral tears

Hip labral tears are a condition that can sometimes accompany sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The labrum is a ring of cartilage found within the hip socket.  Its main purpose is to absorb shock, as well as to help make sure your leg bone fits snugly inside the hip socket. Cartilage is generally pretty tough, but sometimes itContinue reading “Labral tears”

In the Woods

So I tested my SI joints today in a way that I haven’t since I injured them: I went for a hike, not in my regular shoes, but in my actual winter boots.  They were still relatively new and had that just-out-of-the-box feeling– in other words, they were kind of stiff. And I pushed myself.Continue reading “In the Woods”