Question
QUESTION: Hello Gary, thanks for your devotion to alleviating nagging pain in our lives - you are truly a gift! I learned to stretch with tennis balls from YOU - not from ALL the chiros, physical therapists, message therapists, etc, that I paid time and time again. I am an avid gym goer and this truly helps.

So I have sacroiliac issues - have for some time now and am desperate - anyhow, still trying to work out my tissues to release this tissue and have yet to. I am super sore after doing your recommend exercises for this specific issue of sacroiliac - not the same pain but a different pain - is this just the soreness of working out the tissue?

Just curious as I need to get rid of this once and for all - again, I am getting desperate but would never turn to pain killers, however, I see why some people do as the pain is just too overwhelming to deal with every single day and inhibits life.  

Thanks for all you do and all the best!

ANSWER: Hello Chantal,

Thanks for the update.  When people report that they are severely sore after the work I do wonder if they would not benefit from a good (easily absorbed) magnesium supplement, to perhaps give the muscles the raw material they need to release.  Also, if there is a chance that your hormones are out of balance then that can really lead to tight and stubborn tissue, so you might want to look into that if that rings true.

Lastly, sometimes having someone else work on you can get you to a deeper level of release, especially when the tissue appears so stubborn. I'd recommend you go to these two websites,
http://www.rolf.org/find
and
http://www.rolfguild.org/practitioners/international
Call the practioners in your area and go to someone who you feel has the best chance of helping you.
I'd generally recommend someone who has been in practice at least 5 years, preferably 10 years.  And feel free to try more than one person if you don't feel like you've found a good one.  I'm optimistic that this could be of benefit, so at least think about it.  I may have already recommended this, but thought I would again just in case.

Wishing you all the best,

Gary

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey there Gary, thanks for your prompt response. I have checked both of the links and there are NO practitioners in my city at all, unfortunately. Do you suggest something else?

I do have hormone issues as I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and take meds daily. You always take for granted just how connected all your body is... so would this diagnosis be related? How do I go about fixing this?

Also, what do you suggest at the gym then? I have been stretching the heck out of my hips/hamstrings/glutes with stretching and exercises. I even had a referral from my GP Doctor to see an exercise physiologist and received hip stretches and the sort to strengthen that all up. Do you offer phone consultations at all (I would pay you if course). I really do not where to turn to next. As I stated, I go to the gym every 5-7 days/week for the last almost 23 years - give or take and all the chiros, etc "if it don't hurt then yes continue to work out"... I don't want a bandaid anymore - I want and need this fixed.

Thanks again for your time and ANY insight from you is appreciated.

Chantal

Answer
Hi Chantal,

I think it would be good to your MD and have your hormone levels checked.  If your thyroid needs help, then you might need hormone cream or something to help balance things out.  Ideally, find a MD that specializes in such things.

I typed  "saskatchewan massage" and "saskatchewan bodywork" into Google and got a few hits.  There are some associations where you can look up members.  I also might call all (if necessary) the alternative medicine practitioners in your area and ask them if they know of a "Rolfer" in the area, if they say "no" then ask if they know any "deep tissue body workers" at all.   Someone will know someone.

I'm happy to chat if you'd like.
USA   760-223-4279  if you call in the next few minutes I'll be here.

Best,

Gary