Helpful Books

[johnsmith]

There is a very impressive set of books in 3 volumes. Now in 7th edition. The Physiology of the Joints by I. A. Kapandji. The 7th edition book is available on amazon for about £35.

I bought my first copy over 20 years ago. I have just bought the latest 7th edition. My first copy had easy to follow diagrams in black and white. The latest edition has the same sort of diagrams in colour.

The Physiology of the Joints Vol 1: Upper Limb

Physiology of the Joints: Volume 2 Lower Limb

The Physiology of the Joints - Volume 3: The Spinal Column, Pelvic Girdle and Head

The usefulness of these books is that they show how the muscles affect structures. It is my belief that much pain and poor functioning is due to bad coordination of the muscles. The brain has an input into this issue. By educating the brain it is possible to reduce much discomfort.

There is a lack of awareness in the medical profession of muscles pulling or compressing structures causes pain and discomfort. Much of the medical profession follows the concept of pain nerves being switched on and cannot switch off. They do not consider that if a pain nerve is being subjected to a force then it will complain. The medical profession has a problem with nerves that are subjected to a force may not function correctly. The medical profession uses a whole host of drugs for problems that are caused by pressure being applied to nerves.

Hope that people can find the books I mentioned useful.

[Hidden]

We certainly consider the issues of compressed nerves here in the UK

[johnsmith in reply to Hidden]

Some do and many do not. The gate theory concept of increased pain volume or pain is not able to switch off holds a lot of sway among medical consultants who were trained at a particular time in history.

Now the old gate theory has modified itself to a neurological pain processing disorder.

[Hidden in reply to johnsmith]

I had excellent treatment at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

[Ritchie1268]

Hope you're keeping well John & thanks for posting this.

I've just completed a course run by the pain clinic that briefly went into what you're describing. All very interesting, especially the 'mindfulness' & relaxation side of things, some of which is what you have posted about previously & which I'm looking more into.

[hosbay]

After several years of pain from spinal disorders I suspected that I had a fairly severe musculoskeletal malfunction/unbalance predominately on my right hand side which was exacerbating my condition and symptoms. For years I have been exercising, applying relaxation and mindful techniques, avoiding stress and anxiety etc which have helped, but recently I discovered something which has made a significant improvement. Whilst doing Tai Chi exercises I noticed that I could stand quite steadily on my left leg but not on my right. I paid particular attention to what was happening with my muscles as I stood on my right leg. I could feel individual muscles randomly activating in an effort to stabilise my balance. When I stood on my left leg the action of individual muscles was imperceptible and balance was good. I then spent a lot of time repeatedly standing on my right leg and eventually I found that balance improved as muscle activation became more coordinated.

The main benefit of this appears to be much less incidence, duration and severity of pain.

I have not read the books you have referenced but from what you have said they probably allude to what I have experienced w.r.t. muscle function and coordination improvement.

I am fully aware that I have physical defects in my spine and associated soft tissue so my musculoskeletal and neurological functions will never be pristine but there are techniques which help to compensate and make a big difference.

[drdeanbellavia in reply to hosbay]

hosbay:

I have not tried Tai Chi yet (although I have been thinking about it for a decade), but then again, any moderate exercise involving the use/stretching of a muscle helps make it more functional/healthy. As far as the pain is concerned it more often than not comes from the nerves of joints that are out of position caused by the muscles pulling on those joints. I have found that using yoga and especially trigger point therapy (as outlined in the "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, 3rd edition") works wonders. I have even resolved my gout attacks using it.

Dean

[johnsmith in reply to hosbay]

Glad you found the T'ai Chi helpful. I do t'ai chi as well and used the books to make modifications to what I do in t'ai chi.

[drdeanbellavia]

johnsmith:

There is one book that says more about resolving joint pain than any other:

"The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook, 3rd edition". I hope that it is in your library.

Dean

[johnsmith in reply to drdeanbellavia]

Got that book a long time ago. Does not help in my case. This is because I have extended disks in the neck impinging on nerve roots. Result of a road traffic accident.

Have found the idea of trigger points useful. Have used the concept of trigger points on others.