As many of you may know, I have been struggling with a hip injury for almost 4 years. Last week I had an MRI and x-rays confirm that I have severe degenerative condition with that left hip. What? Me? How can that be?
But yes, I have come to grips with the inevitable – I will need a new hip. But I am only 47!! Oh, but this degeneration of the hip was there for a long time. My hip injury did not cause it, but it did mask me going to the doctor right away as I thought it was a result of my twisted hip. Hmm, was there anything else I could have done to avoid this? Nope. But I have been able to minimize the pain. Here is how.
I have though done much to improve my condition in the past few years. Chiropractic, acupuncture. I do yoga regularly to help stretch out what was too tight, I ride my bike, I swim and I do strengthening exercises now daily. In the past 2 months I am actually walking better than the past year! I walk more smoothly. And I walk with minimal pain. Discomfort yes. Pain, not so much.
I eat primarily an anti-inflammatory diet which helps minimize the pain. This helps a lot. I have done many Nutrition Response Testing sessions, which uncovered several inflammatory foods (wheat, sugar, and brown rice for me) and inflammatory ingredients (petroleum and alcohol based products like Aquaphor – used by my chiro for doing Graston Technique. No wonder I would be in horrible pain for 2-3 days after. It wasn’t the Graston, it was the Aquaphor!) My chiro is actually shocked I can do anything I do with my current condition without excruciating pain. But honestly, the pain is not that bad. I have definitely minimized the pain. Most would be on Percocet or Vicaden. I take 1-3 Advil per day if that. I sleep through the night without taking anything. Ice is usually enough to numb the pain.
I am rather happy that despite this inevitable surgery, I will be without pain and move agilely again shortly afterwards. Without the Nutrition Response Testing (which runs about $35 per 20 minute session), I would most likely be consuming foods that cause me more pain despite being on an anti-inflammatory diet. If I can do this for myself, imagine how many other people I can help if they just came in for a session!
If you are in pain from an injury, degenerative conditions like arthritis or even fibromyalgia, Nutrition Response Testing and an anti-inflammatory diet can be so helpful to minimize the pain. I work with clients on implementing an anti-inflammatory diet. With the addition of Nutrition Response Testing, we can identify other things that maybe contributing to the pain. We can identify which supplements can help to negate the symptoms, and also help the body process the contaminants, and eliminate them so your pain is minimized in a matter of days. If you want to be pain free and not be reliant on Advil or other OTC pain killers, it might be time to come in for an anti-inflammatory session and/or Nutrition Response Testing. It may be the difference between sleepless nights and pain free mornings and days!
For more information on the anti-inflammatory diet or Nutrition Response Testing, please visit Joanna Chodorowska at www.nutrition-in-motion.net. Joanna is a sports nutrition coach at Nutrition in Motion, LLC using real food options for optimal health and performance.