Rachel,

You may also want to consider getting a massage, particularly with hot
stones.  My massage therapist is also my PT's Assistant so he has more
training and has known me for about 10 years.  We've discovered that as I am
aging, I am using my glutes (aka butt muscles) a lot more to walk and then
my lower back hurts.  But, much like you, I think, there is nothing found in
x-rays etc since my pain is caused by the butt muscles getting way tight and
actually causing the back pain.  So as crazy as it may sound, if he (or my
dear hubby in between massage therapist visits) literally presses his elbow
into my butt for several seconds in several locations, the muscle tightness
releases, my posture improves, and the back pain disappears.  And my muscles
just seem to respond better to the heat of the stones, allowing me to relax
much more.

At least massage is not invasive and if nothing else, it is a great way to
pamper yourself and relieve stress.

Linda
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2005 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: any suggestions


> Hi Rachel.  My name is Michael Jeffries.  I'm 36 and I do 10k  races.
> I've
> been hit by a car 20 years ago.  I've been having popping  sounds in my
> left
> hip when I rotate it.  It doesn't bother me unless the  air is real damp
> and
> sometimes in the winter time.  Just take vitamins and  keep the calcium up
> and
> that should help some.
>