Over the past few weeks, I’ve been dealing with some leg discomfort that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. It wasn’t always there, but when it was, I could trace the pain in a line from my hip to my ankle. It mainly happened when I stood or walked, though not consistently. It wasn’t unbearable—more like an annoying tightness tor dull pain.
Since I wasn’t sure what was causing it, I went to see my
chiropractor. After an adjustment, I felt some relief, but the issue wasn’t
completely gone. I gave it a little more time, but when I noticed the
discomfort still lingering, I went back to him for a follow-up.
The Chiropractic Adjustment That Helped Me Understand
More
During this visit, he performed a few different adjustments,
but one, in particular, stood out to me. As I lay flat on my back, he took my
left leg and gave a gentle but firm jerk straight out. Then he did the same
with my right leg. Immediately, I felt a release in my hip area, and that’s
when I remembered something—I had been experiencing a strange sensation right
where my hip bone meets my pelvis.
When I mentioned this to him, he explained that I have
something called muscle spasticity. I had heard the term before, but I
didn’t fully understand what it meant in my case until he broke it down.
What Is Muscle Spasticity?
Muscle spasticity is when a muscle remains tight or
contracted involuntarily, often as a protective mechanism. The body does
this to create stability, especially when it senses that something about your
movement pattern isn’t quite right.
In my case, because my walking is not completely normal and
I have been relearning how to walk, my body has developed some compensations.
When we walk, our hips naturally rotate to keep us balanced and moving forward
efficiently. But if something interferes with that movement—like past injuries
or improper muscle activation—the body may respond by tightening muscles to
prevent instability. That tightness, in turn, can lead to pain, discomfort, and
limited mobility.
The Bible reminds us in Psalm 18:32: "It is
God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Even
when my movements aren’t perfect, He is strengthening me daily.
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| A massage gun |
The Impact on My Walking & Leg Pain
I realized that my hip and leg muscles have been overworking
to compensate for the challenges I face with walking. My gait mechanics (how I
walk) aren’t the same as they used to be, so my muscles have had to adjust in
ways they weren’t originally designed to. Over time, this has created tension
and spasticity, which contributed to the pain I was feeling from my hip down to
my ankle.
While this realization was frustrating at first, it also
gave me hope. If my muscles had adapted to move differently, that meant they
could also adapt again—to move more efficiently, more smoothly. It wouldn’t
happen overnight, but with practice and consistency, I could make progress. As Romans
5:3-4 teaches us: "We glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience,
hope."
How I’m Addressing It – Massage Gun Therapy
After identifying the issue, my chiropractor recommended
that I get a massage gun to help manage the muscle tightness. If you’re
not familiar with them, a massage gun works by using percussion therapy,
which means it delivers rapid pulses to the muscles to increase circulation,
break up tightness, and promote relaxation.
I’ve already ordered one, and I’m looking forward to seeing
how it helps with my hip, thigh, and calf muscles. My goal is to reduce the
spasticity, improve my mobility, and make walking more comfortable. (Easier
said than done)! Each step I take, each exercise I do, is an opportunity to
refine and improve. I remind myself of Isaiah 40:31: "But they
that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not
faint."
I never realized how much hip rotation and muscle balance
affect the way we move until I started experiencing these challenges firsthand.
It’s been a learning process, but I’m thankful for the knowledge I’m gaining
along the way.
Muscle spasticity doesn’t mean I move like a rigid, jerky
robot or a character from a horror film. It’s a challenge, yes, but one I’ve
been tackling head-on. My goal has always been to make my movements as smooth
and natural as possible, and I’ve seen remarkable progress.
They say practice makes perfect, and I believe that applies
here more than ever. The best way to improve my movement is to keep
moving—to push myself, refine each step, and identify areas that still need
work. If I notice something that feels off or awkward, I don’t just accept
it. Instead, I focus on that specific motion, adjusting and strengthening the
muscles involved until I see improvement.
Spasticity can be unpredictable, but consistency is key. Every
stretch, every exercise, every deliberate step forward is part of the bigger
picture. Some days, the progress is small—so subtle that only I can tell
the difference. Other days, I hit a breakthrough, a moment where everything
aligns, and I move with the ease and control I’ve been working toward. Those
moments remind me why I keep going. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds me: "For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind."
Through all of this, my faith has been my foundation. In
moments of frustration, I remind myself of Philippians 4:13: "I
can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." When
progress feels slow, I lean on Psalm 46:1: "God is our refuge
and strength, a very present help in trouble."
I share this information because I just became aware of it
last week. Even though I have been living my recovery journey for all these
years, I still don’t know everything there is to know about myself. I
might have a good idea, or I might not be fully aware of all the facts. To me,
that is a lesson I can equate to my spirituality.
I have been a Christian for a long time and have learned a
lot, but I do not know everything. It is important for me to realize that, so
that I may continue to grow when new truths are revealed on my path. When we
come to know Christ, we don’t suddenly experience all His wonders at once. Our
growth in grace begins when we start on that journey of learning about God, the
more we walk with Him, the more we learn of Him and the more we become like
Him. (hopefully) Proverbs 4:18 tells us: "But the path of
the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect
day."
Final Thoughts
The journey isn’t about eliminating spasticity
altogether—that may not be realistic—but rather learning how to work with it,
to adapt and refine until my movements become as fluid and effortless as
possible. It’s a process, but one that’s well worth the effort.
If you’ve ever dealt with tightness, discomfort, or
spasticity in your legs or hips, a chiropractic adjustment or massage therapy
might help. It’s always worth exploring different options and learning more
about how our bodies work.
I’ll update you all on how the massage gun works for me in
the future! Have you ever experienced muscle spasticity or tightness from
movement compensation? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Be encouraged. 🧡
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