Posted By Tom (New Brighton, Mn) on 04/23/2010

I first felt a looseness in my right hip 8 years ago while on an ellyptical machine. It felt like my hip came out of the socket, then back in.

A G.P. Dr. laughed, said a dislocation was impossible-concluded I had arthritis and prescribed lots of painkillers and said to wait "til I was a bit older (I was 44) to get a hip replacement! I ignored him-but soon developed issues with my left hip also. Then-4 years ago both hips completely cramped/seized up-and I began using a cane-and doing almost nothing due to the pain and weakness. After lots of wasted visits to chiro's, acupuncturists etc. I discovered an egoscue therapist last year-who observed that both my femurs were rotated to 4 and 8 oclock rather than pointing straight at 12 oclock. Many of my muscles (glutes etc.) had ceased to function properly-and my hip flexors were shortened into permanent tension.

After six months-I am close to straightened out-but still experience severe pain after a therapy session-and am still dealing with weakened muscles-although I can now walk without a cane-after only about 50 yards I cramp up, have pain and need to sit and rest-I have a lot of cracking etc. still-I assume from loose/lax ligaments. Do you have any suggestions to eliminate/reduce pain, develop strength, tighten ligaments/hip etc?

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