Managing compensatory issues is critical to the healing process
The knock-on effects of an injury can make recovery feel never-ending
Physical compensation can be such an odd duck to tackle. Right now, I’m struggling not only with broken ribs and an injured diaphragm, but also with the way my body is trying to compensate. I have a lot of back and hip pain, and I noticed recently that I’m not walking normally. If I don’t get this sorted out, it’ll snowball into an even bigger mess.
Many of my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) symptoms arise as part of my body’s attempt at compensation. Lax tendons and ligaments lead to loose joints, and my body responds by tightening the surrounding muscles. Not only does that not help stabilize my joints, but it actually causes its own set of problems: Sometimes my muscles become so tight that they result in a subluxation of the joint they’re trying to stabilize.
That is why massage and bodywork are so critical for my pain management and self-care routine. Unfortunately, half of my back is currently a no-go zone because of my broken rib, which is causing a lot of problems. My muscles keep getting tighter, but I’m limited in how I can address this issue because I don’t want to irritate my broken rib.
As a result, right now I’m mostly trying to keep these compensatory issues from worsening. The irritation in my back has affected my hips, legs, and feet, which has changed my gait. Walking feels more stilted and robotic than it should, like each motion is extra deliberate.
I’ve also been trying to avoid bending at the waist to minimize stress on my rib and injured core muscles, so I’ve been doing a lot of deep squats to pick things up instead. While that’s been a great workout for my legs, it’s also made them sore! Recently, I scheduled an extra massage to focus on my lower body, as the immediate effects of my injuries have taken up all the time in my regular sessions.
Managing EDS can sometimes feel like a game of chase. I know I’ll have to manage any injuries, but the knock-on effects can make healing seem like a never-ending cycle.
I have to remember that it’s just as critical to manage compensatory issues as the original injury. For me, it takes a lot of patience (which I don’t always have), a good massage therapist, a knowledgeable physical therapist when needed, and sometimes just plain creativity to make things work. I haven’t been on this type of healing journey in a while, and I hope that as I chronicle my progress and occasional setbacks, it will help remind all of us that healing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.
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