Fed up with injuries/middle age/hypermobility

tomatoey

How common are musculoskeletal issues among recreationally active people over 30? Does everyone who's slightly more than sedentary have something going on?

I'm hypermobile, and ending my 30s, so have OA in a few joints and am constantly experiencing minor (and a few major) soft tissue injuries and/or pain. I don't know how much more careful I can be than I am.

Or how much more money I need to spend on physio to fix things that happen to my body with ordinary use. I finally found a competent physio, good. I like her but I'm tired of having to budget for it as a regular expense.

(If I start on how many incompetents and bullsh**ers there are in the chronic pain industry, among regulated professionals, I won't stop, so I'm not going to even go there. Other than to say I think it's galling that preventative and necessary rehab care is limited to the private sector in my country. And it took me a loooong time and a loooot of money to find someone good.)

It is extremely frustrating to heal from something and then get launched right into another thing. It's one step forward, two steps back, always.

I've tried to be patient and accept where I'm at, but it's hard to adjust expectations. I want to be able to use my body the way I used to, just without having to think about it or feel it. I want to be able to work towards a sculpted body, I know I could do it if my ligaments would let me.

I want to be able to enjoy sports. There is no fun thing I can do now. No ball games, no fast games (can't run), no games period. Just low-impact cardio and low-intensity bodyweight and sometimes machine resistance, by myself, inside a gym, when it's beautiful outside. Can't do overly repetitive activities, limited with cardio too. I feel safest in a gym environment, because I can better control things in response to pain.

I'll have healed up from a thing, and will then fool myself that I'm allowed to get excited about starting up again, and whammo. Back to square one. Lying down, being stuck at home.

When i'm good, I can dance, that's the only fun thing that seems to not cause problems. Which is great but it's only a night-time thing, and the people I used to dance with are no longer up for late nights (babies).

I had a good day at the gym yesterday, but am paying for walking too much today and I'm just so pi$$ed off. I hope this pain now is transient, and that one day off will be enough. I hate getting thrown off and not feeling like I'm moving towards something.

tomatoey

this was just a vent. obviously. i welcome other vents.

MelodyandBarbells

When you say does everyone who's above sedentary have something going on - do you mean like injuries? I've had a few old ones but generally healed over time, becoming more aware of the requirements of my chosen exercise, and the proper gear like shoes. I do not have any physical conditions limiting exercise other than asthma, for which I use my inhaler first prior to exercising

Sorry to read about the struggles you experience. Did your doctor confirm that your exercise must be limited in this fashion due to your hyper mobility? What is OA?

tomatoey

JaneiR36 wrote: »

When you say does everyone who's above sedentary have something going on - do you mean like injuries? I've had a few old ones but generally healed over time, becoming more aware of the requirements of my chosen exercise, and the proper gear like shoes. I do not have any physical conditions limiting exercise other than asthma, for which I use my inhaler first prior to exercising

Yup. Some people feel it's just par for the course, and say that most people run into some injury or other, because bodies have finite capacities, we all have a learning curve when we get into something new, and every activity involves at least some risk. I think that's true, but I think most people heal, as you did, and move on. I'm glad you were able to take preventative and management measures that work and that you are free to engage in activity. That is wonderful

JaneiR36 wrote: »

Sorry to read about the struggles you experience. Did your doctor confirm that your exercise must be limited in this fashion due to your hyper mobility? What is OA?

Thank you, and thanks for listening, it's appreciated. Yes, I'm on orders to stay away from running and any other impact activity indefinitely, as well as particular movements related to the several soft tissue issues I have on a more temporary basis. (These are less intractable problems, but they're edging into chronic territory at this point). At the moment, I'm working both on (through physio) and around (for my vanity) four bum joints in addition to a chronic foot injury. OA is osteoarthritis. Which we all get eventually, I'm just more prone to it because of congenital hypermobility.

Although this is frustrating, I have to keep reminding myself that so many people are dealing with really terrible things. It could really be so much worse. But I haven't had those experiences, I only know what I used to be able to do, and have this issue of not really knowing what my new limits are, now that I'm older, because new limits keep popping up and changing things. (Things I used to be able to do easily now cause injuries on a dime, so it's unpredictable.)

Thanks again for replying.

Pinkranger626

For your soft tissues issues... you haven't indicated what they are so this may not be an option. But massage therapy could be helpful in dealing with muscle and soft tissue problems and general aches and pains. I know it's made a huge difference in how I feel

tomatoey

workoutgrl87 wrote: »

For your soft tissues issues... you haven't indicated what they are so this may not be an option. But massage therapy could be helpful in dealing with muscle and soft tissue problems and general aches and pains. I know it's made a huge difference in how I feel

Thank you My physio does do some special kind of massage, and it helps. It's all tendonitis (which is a misnomer, it's really tendinosis.)

westj1975

Through out my life long journey of trying to avoid working out, I have been challenged trying to get back into shape through a balanced diet and working out.

One of the important things I have come to realize is this: Starting out I have a tendency to over reach my limitations. I started back in the gym and went for heavy weights to do shoulder presses. I ended up causing undue pain to my shoulder.

After consulting a good fitness professional (and I agree, you have to separate the good from the bad) I learned to start out slower/lower weight and build up.

I suppose my point is this: Nothing beats finding a good professional and/or just simply becoming educated. I firmly believe almost anything can be done if it's approached in a slower and more methodical means.

Granted, some people may suffer from health related issues that prevent them from doing a particular activity. But another lesson I learned from a fitness person was, "if you can't do it this way no worries.. I have about a hundred other ways to work the same muscles".

MelodyandBarbells

tomatoey wrote: »

JaneiR36 wrote: »

When you say does everyone who's above sedentary have something going on - do you mean like injuries? I've had a few old ones but generally healed over time, becoming more aware of the requirements of my chosen exercise, and the proper gear like shoes. I do not have any physical conditions limiting exercise other than asthma, for which I use my inhaler first prior to exercising

Yup. Some people feel it's just par for the course, and say that most people run into some injury or other, because bodies have finite capacities, we all have a learning curve when we get into something new, and every activity involves at least some risk. I think that's true, but I think most people heal, as you did, and move on. I'm glad you were able to take preventative and management measures that work and that you are free to engage in activity. That is wonderful

JaneiR36 wrote: »

Sorry to read about the struggles you experience. Did your doctor confirm that your exercise must be limited in this fashion due to your hyper mobility? What is OA?

Thank you, and thanks for listening, it's appreciated. Yes, I'm on orders to stay away from running and any other impact activity indefinitely, as well as particular movements related to the several soft tissue issues I have on a more temporary basis. (These are less intractable problems, but they're edging into chronic territory at this point). At the moment, I'm working both on (through physio) and around (for my vanity) four bum joints in addition to a chronic foot injury. OA is osteoarthritis. Which we all get eventually, I'm just more prone to it because of congenital hypermobility.

Although this is frustrating, I have to keep reminding myself that so many people are dealing with really terrible things. It could really be so much worse. But I haven't had those experiences, I only know what I used to be able to do, and have this issue of not really knowing what my new limits are, now that I'm older, because new limits keep popping up and changing things. (Things I used to be able to do easily now cause injuries on a dime, so it's unpredictable.)

Thanks again for replying.

What types of lower impact activities are you cleared to do? Can you swim, for example?

tomatoey

JaneiR36 wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

JaneiR36 wrote: »

When you say does everyone who's above sedentary have something going on - do you mean like injuries? I've had a few old ones but generally healed over time, becoming more aware of the requirements of my chosen exercise, and the proper gear like shoes. I do not have any physical conditions limiting exercise other than asthma, for which I use my inhaler first prior to exercising

Yup. Some people feel it's just par for the course, and say that most people run into some injury or other, because bodies have finite capacities, we all have a learning curve when we get into something new, and every activity involves at least some risk. I think that's true, but I think most people heal, as you did, and move on. I'm glad you were able to take preventative and management measures that work and that you are free to engage in activity. That is wonderful

JaneiR36 wrote: »

Sorry to read about the struggles you experience. Did your doctor confirm that your exercise must be limited in this fashion due to your hyper mobility? What is OA?

Thank you, and thanks for listening, it's appreciated. Yes, I'm on orders to stay away from running and any other impact activity indefinitely, as well as particular movements related to the several soft tissue issues I have on a more temporary basis. (These are less intractable problems, but they're edging into chronic territory at this point). At the moment, I'm working both on (through physio) and around (for my vanity) four bum joints in addition to a chronic foot injury. OA is osteoarthritis. Which we all get eventually, I'm just more prone to it because of congenital hypermobility.

Although this is frustrating, I have to keep reminding myself that so many people are dealing with really terrible things. It could really be so much worse. But I haven't had those experiences, I only know what I used to be able to do, and have this issue of not really knowing what my new limits are, now that I'm older, because new limits keep popping up and changing things. (Things I used to be able to do easily now cause injuries on a dime, so it's unpredictable.)

Thanks again for replying.

What types of lower impact activities are you cleared to do? Can you swim, for example?

It depends on what's going on. Right now it's just the bike, because my knees are being cranky (so I'm limiting walking for a bit, even just as transportation) and so is my shoulder (so swimming and rowing are out). I am doing my physio and a bit of matwork just to keep things in order.

tomatoey

Took a while to get my knees looked at again, waiting for report next week. But I've been staying away from the leg press and heavy weights, which I think stressed them.

I was getting back into things, working around the knees, just bodyweight exercises, cycling, and the elliptical - and now have a hip thing (TBD, may be just nothing) and a pulled groin, which is definitely a minor sprain. It's not crazy bad, but enough to take me out of anything for another week or so. More lost momentum.

Not much more to add to my original post, other than, the feelings are the same. It's all just really demoralizing. Pain sucks too.

And I guess the main thing is that I'm afraid of using my body. I don't know how I can do any kind of exercise at all and not hurt myself. Which sucks, because I like what exercise does for my brain and heart, it's just that my body, or however I'm using it, won't seem to let me do it.

Also, I literally cannot afford all the physiotherapy I need.

whmscll

I have ongoing issues with shoulder and elbow bursitis, and lately have been nursing an achilles tendon that's sore from overuse. And I have mild scoliosis, which equates to chronic low back issues, which generally flare up at the least opportune time (like when I was backpacking last summer). So yeah, I hear you, getting older sucks. Right now nothing is hurting, which is amazing.

tomatoey

I'm sorry to hear you've had to struggle

Make the most of this pain-free window while you can! (Or maybe not, maybe that's part of the problem...) What are you doing to keep things settled?

MakePeasNotWar

That was me a few years ago. I am also hyper mobile and had frequent knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, as well as debilitating back pain after training. I don't think I ever got through more than 3 months of serious training in a row without spraining, dislocating, or tearing something.

I ended up finding an amazing trainer who worked with my chiropractor to work on my stability and strengthen the muscles around my joints. It was very frustrating at first and the exercises were really tough, with no visible results (working small muscles first so I could start doing the regular exercises safely), but I managed to train injury free for over a year, which was unprecedented for me.

Then I got sick and went back to square one, lol. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

MamaBirdBoss

Strength training usually reduces mobility.

I feel ya. My issues are mostly genetic (and partly freak accident). But most of my joints are unstable. Trying to build up strength to help them.

I'd to find an PT who isn't an idiot. Maybe I can pester my relatives for money on the side. LOL.

kellycasey5

Have you tried aquatic therapy? Again not having your entire history and seeing what your personal issues are (like specific motion restrictions or what the soft tissue issues are), it is just a well intended thought. I do not mean swimming since you state you can't with the shoulder stuff you have going on. I mean pool activities.

Not being able to see your profile of where you are or what country you are in, there may not be swimming pools. I'm going out on a limb and guessing there are. I also speak from CA experience, so go easy on me if I am out of line

When I physically could no longer run, I took up pool jogging. At first I did it at an outdoor heated rehab pool, because pain was an issue and the 93 degree water helped. Then I bought a pair of the hydro-fit ankle cuffs (same as what I used at rehab) and took those to the local YMCA which was cheaper and they were ok with my deep water jogging.

There are many many ways to modify pool activities and it can be appropriate for most people with pain and mobility issues (contractures to hyppermobility if the muscles are strong enough first and the range of motion is constantly thought about). This is likely safest to attempt with few sessions of PT in the pool. Lots of places have such a thing if you ask about it. Some contract with PT, some PTs can arrange it, some PT facilities have it. The point being, you can get VERY individualized instruction and monitoring to prevent injury until you can safely do it on your own. It may cost a bit at first, but likely if you go twice a week for maybe a month you will be able to learn what you can do and do it on your own. Then you could follow up as needed should you have new restrictions/ health issues or need more of a challenge. Injury prevention is key, and activity can in your case prevent injury as well if done properly. That IMO is worth spending the $ on.

I would be willing to wager if you can dance on land, you can pool. Did you know they have pool zumba at some facilities such as YMCAs? You may like that. Zumba for people that can't zumba on land. A group of people each with different issues that are serious about their workout and having fun. Maybe you can't do the arm stuff or all of the leg stuff. So what? Maybe you need to wear the pool belts and go in deep water because standing even in the pool is too much. It can be done.

Pool is fun, too. I have even taken granny water aerobics when the pool jogging was no longer possible due to my imbalance. Don't knock it till you try it...And I'd bet some serious money that after a few classes the instructor can help you get the most out of your workout if you aren't challenged enough. Make sure they are qualified of course.

Besides the various arthritis aquatics classes and aerobics classes, pool zumba, pool spin classes, pool yoga, pool bootcamp etc abound. Most of them are FUN. AND a killer pain free injury free activity if done properly. And there are also regular non sick and injured people who want a new workout and do pool also. Just a thought as there are many people with impact restrictions and joint issues/pain issues that turn to the pool. Pool works wonders for muscle building and maintenance with minimal impact.

OH YEAH....depending on where you live, many places also have outdoor community pools that are very affordable. If you can get a mixed use lane (usually the middle of the pool between the kid area and lane swimming) you may be able to do your stuff OUTSIDE. Most pools don't advertise, but if the lifeguard is on board and you explain your situation and pass the basic pool safety stuff, they will usually let you. Most are okay with you having your own equipment as well even if policy states you can't. That would get you outdoors if you so choose. I am unsure how being in a gym environment allows you to better control things in response to pain. If you were in the pool, they often have ramps instead of steps to get out of the pool and bleachers or benches pool side you could sit in. They also have constant lifeguard monitoring, telephones, locker rooms, water, etc etc.

Sorry this got pretty long. I just fully support people in finding ability in disability. Just because you can't do what you did before and loved doing, doesn't mean you can't find new and different things to love. The pool could possibly give you the workout and DEFINITELY the physique you are looking for.

Best of luck...

scarlet67

tomatoey wrote: »

this was just a vent. obviously. i welcome other vents.

I'm sick of injury and operations. .just as I get back into exercise. ....yes another injury. ..... waiting for shoulder op now....fEd up........

tomatoey

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

That was me a few years ago. I am also hyper mobile and had frequent knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, as well as debilitating back pain after training. I don't think I ever got through more than 3 months of serious training in a row without spraining, dislocating, or tearing something.

I ended up finding an amazing trainer who worked with my chiropractor to work on my stability and strengthen the muscles around my joints. It was very frustrating at first and the exercises were really tough, with no visible results (working small muscles first so I could start doing the regular exercises safely), but I managed to train injury free for over a year, which was unprecedented for me.

Then I got sick and went back to square one, lol. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

Oh, man, you're kidding. After all that work and focus... I'm so sorry How are you these days?

Thank you for offering your experience. That approach to rehab sounds very smart - your trainer does sound amazing! My physio gives me exercises for homework, but mostly does massage and electroacupuncture in session, which definitely does help with pain. The exercises are pretty classic PT (eccentric exercises and some stability stuff, for an ankle), not so focused on stabilizers. I'm starting to think I need to learn how to move all over again, though, because I'm not able to prevent injuries.

How did you find your trainer?

(One thing I appreciate about my PT is that she accurately diagnoses my injuries, unlike several doctors I've seen. Most agree I'm hypermobile (the ones who haven't commented haven't checked for it) , but there's no explanation beyond that. A rheum I saw said there was no point to getting tested for EDS because nothing could be done about it anyway I wonder if not having a diagnosis is making getting help harder. Or maybe there just isn't an explanation beyond "you have crappy ligaments", who knows.)

tomatoey

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

Strength training usually reduces mobility.

I feel ya. My issues are mostly genetic (and partly freak accident). But most of my joints are unstable. Trying to build up strength to help them.

I'd to find an PT who isn't an idiot. Maybe I can pester my relatives for money on the side. LOL.

Some of them are in the dark ages or just don't care. TENS machines, now, come on. There are some good ones, it's just finding them

Sorry you're dealing with this too. Is strength training helping? I tried it in the past, did ok for a while, but it's not working for me these days (knees take a grind).

tomatoey

kellycasey5 wrote: »

Have you tried aquatic therapy? Again not having your entire history and seeing what your personal issues are (like specific motion restrictions or what the soft tissue issues are), it is just a well intended thought. I do not mean swimming since you state you can't with the shoulder stuff you have going on. I mean pool activities.

Not being able to see your profile of where you are or what country you are in, there may not be swimming pools. I'm going out on a limb and guessing there are. I also speak from CA experience, so go easy on me if I am out of line

When I physically could no longer run, I took up pool jogging. At first I did it at an outdoor heated rehab pool, because pain was an issue and the 93 degree water helped. Then I bought a pair of the hydro-fit ankle cuffs (same as what I used at rehab) and took those to the local YMCA which was cheaper and they were ok with my deep water jogging.

There are many many ways to modify pool activities and it can be appropriate for most people with pain and mobility issues (contractures to hyppermobility if the muscles are strong enough first and the range of motion is constantly thought about). This is likely safest to attempt with few sessions of PT in the pool. Lots of places have such a thing if you ask about it. Some contract with PT, some PTs can arrange it, some PT facilities have it. The point being, you can get VERY individualized instruction and monitoring to prevent injury until you can safely do it on your own. It may cost a bit at first, but likely if you go twice a week for maybe a month you will be able to learn what you can do and do it on your own. Then you could follow up as needed should you have new restrictions/ health issues or need more of a challenge. Injury prevention is key, and activity can in your case prevent injury as well if done properly. That IMO is worth spending the $ on.

I would be willing to wager if you can dance on land, you can pool. Did you know they have pool zumba at some facilities such as YMCAs? You may like that. Zumba for people that can't zumba on land. A group of people each with different issues that are serious about their workout and having fun. Maybe you can't do the arm stuff or all of the leg stuff. So what? Maybe you need to wear the pool belts and go in deep water because standing even in the pool is too much. It can be done.

Pool is fun, too. I have even taken granny water aerobics when the pool jogging was no longer possible due to my imbalance. Don't knock it till you try it...And I'd bet some serious money that after a few classes the instructor can help you get the most out of your workout if you aren't challenged enough. Make sure they are qualified of course.

Besides the various arthritis aquatics classes and aerobics classes, pool zumba, pool spin classes, pool yoga, pool bootcamp etc abound. Most of them are FUN. AND a killer pain free injury free activity if done properly. And there are also regular non sick and injured people who want a new workout and do pool also. Just a thought as there are many people with impact restrictions and joint issues/pain issues that turn to the pool. Pool works wonders for muscle building and maintenance with minimal impact.

OH YEAH....depending on where you live, many places also have outdoor community pools that are very affordable. If you can get a mixed use lane (usually the middle of the pool between the kid area and lane swimming) you may be able to do your stuff OUTSIDE. Most pools don't advertise, but if the lifeguard is on board and you explain your situation and pass the basic pool safety stuff, they will usually let you. Most are okay with you having your own equipment as well even if policy states you can't. That would get you outdoors if you so choose. I am unsure how being in a gym environment allows you to better control things in response to pain. If you were in the pool, they often have ramps instead of steps to get out of the pool and bleachers or benches pool side you could sit in. They also have constant lifeguard monitoring, telephones, locker rooms, water, etc etc.

Sorry this got pretty long. I just fully support people in finding ability in disability. Just because you can't do what you did before and loved doing, doesn't mean you can't find new and different things to love. The pool could possibly give you the workout and DEFINITELY the physique you are looking for.

Best of luck...

It is great to hear this kind of enthusiasm, and encouragement! No, I haven't tried pool activities! Just swimming (which, yeah...). This isn't a service offered by my PT, but if it's out there, it's definitely something I'd like to at least try I'm in Canada, and we do have pools Thank you for sharing!

(Also: I would love to actually get a solid workout in. It's good to know that it's possible to build/maintain muscle this way. I'm pretty vain, so that definitely appeals )

tomatoey

scarlet67 wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

this was just a vent. obviously. i welcome other vents.

I'm sick of injury and operations. .just as I get back into exercise. ....yes another injury. ..... waiting for shoulder op now....fEd up........

I'm sorry More than one operation? It sounds like it's been brutal for you I hope you heal fast.

MakePeasNotWar

tomatoey wrote: »

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

That was me a few years ago. I am also hyper mobile and had frequent knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, as well as debilitating back pain after training. I don't think I ever got through more than 3 months of serious training in a row without spraining, dislocating, or tearing something.

I ended up finding an amazing trainer who worked with my chiropractor to work on my stability and strengthen the muscles around my joints. It was very frustrating at first and the exercises were really tough, with no visible results (working small muscles first so I could start doing the regular exercises safely), but I managed to train injury free for over a year, which was unprecedented for me.

Then I got sick and went back to square one, lol. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

Oh, man, you're kidding. After all that work and focus... I'm so sorry How are you these days?

Thank you for offering your experience. That approach to rehab sounds very smart - your trainer does sound amazing! My physio gives me exercises for homework, but mostly does massage and electroacupuncture in session, which definitely does help with pain. The exercises are pretty classic PT (eccentric exercises and some stability stuff, for an ankle), not so focused on stabilizers. I'm starting to think I need to learn how to move all over again, though, because I'm not able to prevent injuries.

How did you find your trainer?

(One thing I appreciate about my PT is that she accurately diagnoses my injuries, unlike several doctors I've seen. Most agree I'm hypermobile (the ones who haven't commented haven't checked for it) , but there's no explanation beyond that. A rheum I saw said there was no point to getting tested for EDS because nothing could be done about it anyway I wonder if not having a diagnosis is making getting help harder. Or maybe there just isn't an explanation beyond "you have crappy ligaments", who knows.)

I actually just totally lucked into my trainer; he opened a gym right below where I did Muay Thai. I had been to numerous rehab trainers and strength coaches before, but never anything like what his team does. I could ask him if he has a particular style or method that you could look for or advice on finding someone similar. If you're interested you can message me and I'll check with him.

I've never been tested for EDS either, though it's been brought up a few times by doctors and physiotherapists. I really only have the hyper mobility and thin pale skin, though (nurses love me when it's time to draw blood, lol) with no idiopathic pain or other symptoms, so I don't think EDS really fits.

blankiefinder

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

That was me a few years ago. I am also hyper mobile and had frequent knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, as well as debilitating back pain after training. I don't think I ever got through more than 3 months of serious training in a row without spraining, dislocating, or tearing something.

I ended up finding an amazing trainer who worked with my chiropractor to work on my stability and strengthen the muscles around my joints. It was very frustrating at first and the exercises were really tough, with no visible results (working small muscles first so I could start doing the regular exercises safely), but I managed to train injury free for over a year, which was unprecedented for me.

Then I got sick and went back to square one, lol. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

Oh, man, you're kidding. After all that work and focus... I'm so sorry How are you these days?

Thank you for offering your experience. That approach to rehab sounds very smart - your trainer does sound amazing! My physio gives me exercises for homework, but mostly does massage and electroacupuncture in session, which definitely does help with pain. The exercises are pretty classic PT (eccentric exercises and some stability stuff, for an ankle), not so focused on stabilizers. I'm starting to think I need to learn how to move all over again, though, because I'm not able to prevent injuries.

How did you find your trainer?

(One thing I appreciate about my PT is that she accurately diagnoses my injuries, unlike several doctors I've seen. Most agree I'm hypermobile (the ones who haven't commented haven't checked for it) , but there's no explanation beyond that. A rheum I saw said there was no point to getting tested for EDS because nothing could be done about it anyway I wonder if not having a diagnosis is making getting help harder. Or maybe there just isn't an explanation beyond "you have crappy ligaments", who knows.)

I actually just totally lucked into my trainer; he opened a gym right below where I did Muay Thai. I had been to numerous rehab trainers and strength coaches before, but never anything like what his team does. I could ask him if he has a particular style or method that you could look for or advice on finding someone similar. If you're interested you can message me and I'll check with him.

I've never been tested for EDS either, though it's been brought up a few times by doctors and physiotherapists. I really only have the hyper mobility and thin pale skin, though (nurses love me when it's time to draw blood, lol) with no idiopathic pain or other symptoms, so I don't think EDS really fits.

I'd love to know if there is a name for his style, I have 'very hypermobile' knees according to my physiotherapist, as well as arthritis, if you wouldn't mind sharing!

tomatoey

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

MakePeasNotWar wrote: »

That was me a few years ago. I am also hyper mobile and had frequent knee, ankle and shoulder injuries, as well as debilitating back pain after training. I don't think I ever got through more than 3 months of serious training in a row without spraining, dislocating, or tearing something.

I ended up finding an amazing trainer who worked with my chiropractor to work on my stability and strengthen the muscles around my joints. It was very frustrating at first and the exercises were really tough, with no visible results (working small muscles first so I could start doing the regular exercises safely), but I managed to train injury free for over a year, which was unprecedented for me.

Then I got sick and went back to square one, lol. Oh well, it was great while it lasted.

Oh, man, you're kidding. After all that work and focus... I'm so sorry How are you these days?

Thank you for offering your experience. That approach to rehab sounds very smart - your trainer does sound amazing! My physio gives me exercises for homework, but mostly does massage and electroacupuncture in session, which definitely does help with pain. The exercises are pretty classic PT (eccentric exercises and some stability stuff, for an ankle), not so focused on stabilizers. I'm starting to think I need to learn how to move all over again, though, because I'm not able to prevent injuries.

How did you find your trainer?

(One thing I appreciate about my PT is that she accurately diagnoses my injuries, unlike several doctors I've seen. Most agree I'm hypermobile (the ones who haven't commented haven't checked for it) , but there's no explanation beyond that. A rheum I saw said there was no point to getting tested for EDS because nothing could be done about it anyway I wonder if not having a diagnosis is making getting help harder. Or maybe there just isn't an explanation beyond "you have crappy ligaments", who knows.)

I actually just totally lucked into my trainer; he opened a gym right below where I did Muay Thai. I had been to numerous rehab trainers and strength coaches before, but never anything like what his team does. I could ask him if he has a particular style or method that you could look for or advice on finding someone similar. If you're interested you can message me and I'll check with him.

I've never been tested for EDS either, though it's been brought up a few times by doctors and physiotherapists. I really only have the hyper mobility and thin pale skin, though (nurses love me when it's time to draw blood, lol) with no idiopathic pain or other symptoms, so I don't think EDS really fits.

Ha, I'm similar, it's like my veins were painted on I don't know that I have it either. I just feel like there has to be some reason for all these things, and that maybe if I figured it out I could manage it better. But that's not necessarily true, either.

Absolutely yes! very interested in your trainer's style, if you don't mind asking... that's very kind of you to offer

MamaBirdBoss

tomatoey wrote: »

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

Strength training usually reduces mobility.

I feel ya. My issues are mostly genetic (and partly freak accident). But most of my joints are unstable. Trying to build up strength to help them.

I'd to find an PT who isn't an idiot. Maybe I can pester my relatives for money on the side. LOL.

Some of them are in the dark ages or just don't care. TENS machines, now, come on. There are some good ones, it's just finding them

Sorry you're dealing with this too. Is strength training helping? I tried it in the past, did ok for a while, but it's not working for me these days (knees take a grind).

It does, but because I have a SLAP tear and two labral tears, it's very slow to build up strength without injury.

tomatoey

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

tomatoey wrote: »

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

Strength training usually reduces mobility.

I feel ya. My issues are mostly genetic (and partly freak accident). But most of my joints are unstable. Trying to build up strength to help them.

I'd to find an PT who isn't an idiot. Maybe I can pester my relatives for money on the side. LOL.

Some of them are in the dark ages or just don't care. TENS machines, now, come on. There are some good ones, it's just finding them

Sorry you're dealing with this too. Is strength training helping? I tried it in the past, did ok for a while, but it's not working for me these days (knees take a grind).

It does, but because I have a SLAP tear and two labral tears, it's very slow to build up strength without injury.

I hadn't heard of a SLAP tear; it sounds painful Have you had any advice on training, or are you on your own?

I gather it's kind of controversial. My physio wouldn't like me to lift more than 20 lbs, even when I'm not in pain. But most of my injuries came from repetitive motions and cardio-type activities. Strength was actually ok. Right now, the most I can lift with my right arm (tendinopathy in external rotator cuff and forearm) is 5 or so pounds, and not for very long.

MamaBirdBoss

I actually used YouTube to look up strengthening exercises for these conditions. They're usually used post-surgery, but surgery is a bad idea for me (my muscles don't heal right after any injury due to a genetic disease, so surgery is likely to make me a permanent cripple--a sprained ankle can take me 5-10 years to heal fully from--and no, I can't explain why this is, but my disease is so rare, no one else can, either). My shoulders "click" when I go past the range of motion at which they are stable, so I get pretty instant feedback there.

MamaBirdBoss

What's ridiculous is that I DON'T have hypermobility, and STILL my joints are unstable. *sighs* I've had dense doctors insist on testing me from EDS even though I have NOTHING but lots of messed up joints from the symptom list.

tomatoey

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

I actually used YouTube to look up strengthening exercises for these conditions. They're usually used post-surgery, but surgery is a bad idea for me (my muscles don't heal right after any injury due to a genetic disease, so surgery is likely to make me a permanent cripple--a sprained ankle can take me 5-10 years to heal fully from--and no, I can't explain why this is, but my disease is so rare, no one else can, either). My shoulders "click" when I go past the range of motion at which they are stable, so I get pretty instant feedback there.

I'm sorry Awful to be caught with a disease like that, in the middle of lack of knowledge and lack of options. It sounds like you're doing what you can, though

MamaBirdBoss wrote: »

What's ridiculous is that I DON'T have hypermobility, and STILL my joints are unstable. *sighs* I've had dense doctors insist on testing me from EDS even though I have NOTHING but lots of messed up joints from the symptom list.

Well, they might be dense, but from my point of view, it seems like a positive thing that they were willing to test to exclude possibilities, even if they're less likely ones.

tomatoey

Does anyone else struggle with setting limits? I very often want to make up for lost time in, like, my first day of feeling reasonably good. Like after a few weeks off, I'll want to do 60+ minutes of cardio, at high resistance, with intervals. Or I'll be feeling ok after doing weeks of my safe partial squats, and then want to take my butt right to the ground. I do stop or modify the movement at the first sign of pain, but I can't help feeling the need to push myself.

I think I'm just in denial, at those times. Or I delude myself that I'm in my pre-injury body. I get an inch, and I want to take a mile.

How do you accept your limits, and stop feeling so impatient, or whatever it is that makes you do that kind of irrational stuff?

tomatoey

(bumping in case someone in the day crowd has ideas )

aerochic42

You mentioned a love of dancing, what about low-impact dance (bellydance, line dancing) or exercise like tai chi (it looks like some dancing) classes at your community center, churches, YMCA (don't know if those are in Canada) equivalent. These classes are usually fairly inexpensive and sometimes even cater to low-impact. If you aren't sure ask the instructor the types of movement involved as you know your limits and either do simplified version or just step in place during the tricky bits until you can do more.

I have some relatively minor hyper-mobility issues in my knees and ankles and have found that bellydancing has helped strengthen those stabilizer muscles while still being low-impact but can be a heck of a workout depending on the type, the instructor and the level. When I go longer without dancing, I seem to be more prone to injury in my ankles which in turn screws up my knees. I also tend to push myself faster than I should post-injury, usually re-injuring that same joint. I usually just have to yell at myself and occasionally tell someone else to do so as well.

If there are adult/senior day care centers near you, you might call and see if they know of places that offer different low-impact opportunities. They might be able to refer you to something else. I kind of just made this one up, so have no idea the validity.

Remember low-impact doesn't always mean low-intensity. Just less harsh on joints.