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Kitt · 09-12-2009, 03:24 PM

When I got those muscle cramps in my back that wouldn't leave - they were excruciating. They were worse than labor pains. I couldn't sit, stand or anything. I got them from twisting wrong when I layed down. I will never do that again if I can help it. That happened years ago and my CMT symptoms weren't that bad. The Advil helped greatly then.

Since then, I have had muscles cramping some like on one side of my back but nothing at all like back then when the cramping stayed on both sides of my back. The first chiropractor I ever saw was back in town in May. He lives out of state. (I believe he is moving back in a couple of years. That would be great!) Both my husband and I had been having troubles with our backs at times. The current chiropractor I had to see was something else. I'm not certain that he ever got me adjusted right in the year I saw him. And my husband doesn't like his either who bought out our first chiropractor.

So back to the story. That first one I saw showed my husband and I how to do a passive exercise. You lay on your back on the floor with your feet and lower legs on a chair or the couch - not hanging - just so your back is flat on the floor and your legs are laying on the chair or couch. We now lay there for 13 minutes. It took about 6 weeks for me - it is slow and passive - but I could tell the difference. It slowly helps keep the back in alignment and also relieves any muscle cramps I might have in my back. It works wonders. Sounds funny perhaps but it does work. My husband's hips don't bother him either anymore. We do this exercise every night. I wouldn't be without it now. I have not had to go back to any chiropractor either. I think most are out there for the money and to keep you coming back. I was fortunate with the other ones I had but not this guy. He won't be seeing me anytime soon.

As far as my feet cramping at times, that happens if I've been on my feet too long or walked too much. I soak my feet in very lukewarm water with Epsom Salts in it. That helps a lot. I don't have to soak very long either.

If my calves feel crampy, I rub a little Biofreeze on them and that does the trick. I cannot stand Biofreeze on my feet. Drives them up a wall. I know some people can use it on their feet but not me. I rub a little Biofreeze on my lower back at night and sometimes during the day. It only takes a little. It helps me.

I take one Advil at night. It seems to help keep things in check. I hate medications but I do take one. I'm never really without some pain all the time. I also could have some osteoarthritis, the wear and tear one. That is normal for the general population as well as we get older.

Anyway, that's where I'm at now. And remember, there is no magic bullet for CMT. It is progressive no matter what you do and everyone's symptoms are different even within the same family.