Question
I had fusion L5-S1. It helped sciatic pain. I was not prescribed PT.My physical activity was very low while healing.This surgery was almost 3 years ago and I have extremely tight hip flexors and have lost internal rotation O to 6 degrees in both hips. They were fine before the surgery. My sense,I can feel it, my muscle are tight.I am "guarding". I feel with the right help I could regain my mobility and rid myself of pain.Pre surgery I did cardio 7 hours a week, now maybe an hour a week.My "muscle" pain is mostly hip flexors, but it will also cause tightness with pain in my thigh, mostly my left leg.The odd thing is, my RIGHT groin was injured in my fall.But over the years my left leg and groin is more painful. I have lost so much flexibility that I am unable to bend, as to pick a coin off the ground. I don't bend at the waist. I will bend straight legged. I could go on. But, I need help to relieve muscle tightness. What do you think are my best options.MD's give me pain meds that don't work.I am scheduled for an epidural injection of steroids soon.I am so disappointed with MDs. I want some one to guide me the proper way. Thanks for your time and any advice. Tom

Answer
Dear Tom,

I believe your best option to relieve the muscular tension is somatic education.  The process involved enables you to recapture control of the involved muscles from a protective reflex that is keeping them tight, so they come free.

Your description is almost identical to the example used in my article, Completing Your Recovery from an Injury, found at somatics.com/page4.htm

See the article for a course of action to get free of the tension.

It's also likely that muscular tension is behind your sciatica.  See somatics.com/conditions.htm, on sciatica.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold