My orthopedic surgeon and the rheumatologist I saw basically said the same about my hip as your orthopedist did about your back.... From the rheumatologist after looking at the imaging - I don't know how you can walk. Me - Well, if you say so, but I can and am.... The surgeon explained it as people have different nerve distribution patterns, different pain tolerance, and while the imaging can tell them how much disease or injury is there - is doesn't begin to tell them how you feel and are functioning, that input has to come from you. I'm glad you got a rain check on the jury duty, I can't think of a single other activity where you would sit for so many hours, and hours, and hours - while trying to concentrate and clearly absorb what is being said....pain wouldn't be helpful. I hope you feel better soon....

I operated an overlock machine in a factory setting for several years. In addition to several other "multi-needles" (the generic term for the many machines that employ loopers in place of bobbins). I can rethread my machine (5 thread overlock, Willcox&Gibbs) in under a minute when I use it regularly and just under 3 when I'm out of practice. What's up with the threading ORDER? in all the years I've operated overlocks I've NEVER read anything so foolish! If the machine is properly timed and the tensions properly adjusted it shouldn't matter in what order you THREAD THE THING; once the machine begins the stitch cycle the only thing that matters is that it's been threaded properly and the tensions are in correct adjustment. Once you learn how to "time" a machine you become irritated by wivestales like that; they do little save breed fear, insecurity, and indigestion in owners. Trust me. I THINK there is most likely a tension issue. When I suspect this I immediately back ALL THE TENSIONS off and then begin the rather tedious task of patiently bringing them all into proper adjustment. You may have a burred needle. A burred needle will be "retarded" in its scheduled stitch cycle and it may actually fray the thread of the looper that passes by it in the stitch cycle. The fraying may occur over many repeated cycles, so changing out a needle is a good first step. My guess, though, is a tension issue. This was the number one cause of "down time" in the line. Don't be cowed by the manual. You need to sit down and fiddle around with the tensions; until you're willing to GO FOR IT, you will never master your machine and forever be a slave to it. Take an antacid, change the needle, and start screwing around with the tensions. Really.

I have had frozen shoulders - the first one in '04 after the 3 hurricanes that came through our area and I cleaned the soffit of our house by hand. Overuse of the right shoulder. I didn't go to the doctor until I could no longer stand the pain and could not even wash my hair. had a manipulation done to break the adhesions and intense PT for 8 days afterwards. But I did have PT for 3 months before the manipulation and you are right Alisande, it did make it worse. It was explained to me that as they work around the area different trigger points are worked. They are literally chasing down the areas that are "knotted" and until they get all the areas worked out, you will have more pain and soreness. Unfortunately, the areas can knot back up between sessions and in my case the adhesions just kept pulling everything back up into knots. Two years later, the other should froze on me. I didn't wait that time and went directly to having the manipulation. I now have full motion but every once in a while my right one flares up and the massage therapist said it was probably due to over use of the computer. Alisande - if you check out excerises called Active Isolated Stretching by Aaron L. Mattes, these are wonderful for stretching all parts of a muscle. The difference between these and what the PT does is that you don't hold these for as long and you work each part of the muscle seperately. I got more relief from them than I did any of the PT ones. Before doing the excerises warm your shoulder by putting a wet towel in the microwave for a couple minutes. Wrap that towel in another and lay over the shoulder. Be careful not to burn yourself. After excerising, ice it for about 15 minutes. If you can find Biofreeze, its like BenGay but much better. It really helped at night so that I could sleep. I avoided cortisone shots because they actually damage the tissue. However, when the doctor had me under for the manipulations, he gave me one each time. Hope you get some relief - I feel your pain!

joyful, that's one good thing about the corn being picked--it's much safer to back out of the driveway now. susanjf_gw, we have great neighbors, and I'm sure they'd share if I asked for corn, or stalks for decoration, but it's field corn for their livestock, not good for 'roastneers'. schoolhouse, that's exactly right, but in reverse--today as I was passing one of the neighboring farms, I realized that it was gone. No house, no barns, no equipment--the land has been leveled and seeded. I'd noticed that someone was cleaning up the place, assumed it was the grandson of the owners, who could no longer care for the land. I'd heard that they'd moved out of state to live with their daughter. The old farmer was such a character and a fixture in the neighborhood. His other property, where he ran his cattle, joins our place, and I can't count the number of times we've chased the cattle out of our garden and yard. I'd call to let him know that they were out, and then help him chase them back through the fence. It's sad that he's gone, and so strange to realize that all traces of him and his wife are now gone from the land. Oh, the gravel pile is now gone, too--DD and SIL finished spreading it for me. :)