Joints-am I missing something here?

[Diddlysquat]

Wondering if anyone else supplements for joint pain? For the past year I`ve had sore stiff joints, especially shoulders for which I am taking chondroitin, glucosamine, MSM, and cod liver oil, all in stated daily doses. I have used them off and on in the past but this time have taken them almost without fail for the last two months. I think they are helping a bit. My question is, is something missing from this cocktail? Thanks.

 

[FitFossil]

I used to suffer from constant soreness and stiffness until I did a Rolfing series. Now nothing in my body hurts except for the usual post-workout soreness (and at 40 that's really saying something!) Before that I had tried chiropractic, massage, accupunture, supplements, etc. I do still take a fish oil supplement, because that's good for so many things.

The idea behind Rolfing is to get your body in alignment. When things are out of balance, there's going to be pain. Also, being out of balance can predispose you to other injury. Rolfing feels a little like deep-tissue massage, but rather than working on your muscles, the rolfer works on the fascia (connective tissue) to help unlock and realign tight areas.

More info here:
http://www.rolf.org/
http://www.rolfguild.org/

 

[Diddlysquat]

Thanks FitFossil for the suggestion about Rolfing, I know one place here in Tokyo that does it and have been really tempted on many occasions. The only thing that has kept me back has been the price, it is around $700 for a course...
I agree totally about being out of alignment and the subsequent problems, this IS my problem so perhaps I need to save up the money and go do it rather than keep on faffing about with bits and bobs of accupuncture, deep tissue massage etc which haven't sorted me out enough... Anyway, thanks for the info. If for $700 I could live and lift pain free then actually I that would be a sound investment.

 

[Diddlysquat]

Thanks FitFossil for the suggestion about Rolfing, I know one place here in Tokyo that does it and have been really tempted on many occasions. The only thing that has kept me back has been the price, it is around $700 for a course...
I agree totally about being out of alignment and the subsequent problems, this IS my problem so perhaps I need to save up the money and go do it rather than keep on faffing about with bits and bobs of accupuncture, deep tissue massage etc which haven't sorted me out enough... Anyway, thanks for the info. If for $700 I could live and lift pain free then actually that would be a sound investment.

 

[FitFossil]

Here in the US, it costs $110 for each 1 1/2 hour session. A course is 10 sessions. The reason it's done as a course is that each session works on a specific area of the body, and each session builds on the others. For me, it was money well spent. I sometimes go back for a tune-up if something starts to feel funny, ususally 2-3x a year.

Truth is, I thoroughly enjoy each session. Some people will say rolfing is painful, but for the most part it's not unless you're getting a tight spot worked on. The way I look at it is that it's letting the pain out, never to return, so I REALLY like it when they find a tight spot - it feels so good to let the pain go