Question
Hi, I'm a 55 year old male in good health.  I've been trying for the last 3 years to lose bodyfat and improve fitness. The results have been good, droping from 240 to 185 and 32% to 15% bodyfat.

However, there's been a cost.  I struggled for a year with tennis elbow.  Even more debilitating are the aches and pains. ( Forearm, shoulders, neck, scapula area, stomach muscle, hip, and lessor degree knee).  

Even after taking a full week off from working out I still have the aches and pains.  My best friend is an ice pack.

I don't take NSAIDS or pain meds, but do take Glucosamine, Condroitin, SAM-e, bromelean, and several other vitamins.  Someone recommended Trumleen ointment and that gives me temporary relief.

I have always had problems with soreness even when I was less active.  I have inflamation issues, ie. sinuses, congestion etc.  Recently, I've been looking at possible lactose intolerance issues.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
Dear Gary,

Problems of soreness in the areas you have described are typical of muscles stuck in contraction.  Dietary and chemical means to alleviate muscular contractions are ineffectual, when what is needed is to relax those muscles.

It's a common problem; people don't have very good control of their own muscles, and athletic training often makes the problem worse because it emphasizes muscular effort.

See the articles at www.somatics.com/page4.htm on pain management.  They'll also offer you a solution.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold