Thread: A case of the twinges...

So I had a new dance class yesterday, and I went for a run and just had an active day in general.

Today I've got a case of the twinges.

It isn't exactly soreness, I can deal with that, and it doesn't feel like injury either, it doesn't have that same kind of pain associated with it like when I've really damaged something, but it is something else. Like I'm walking along and all of the sudden my hip goes *twinge* and wants to give out.

Do any of you know what I'm talking about?

I've had the occasional twinge before, in a knee or shoulder or someplace usually jointy, or in the surrounding area, and they always go away after anything from a few seconds to about a day, but I'd like to know what these funny little twinges are, what they are trying to tell me and how to reduce and/or avoid them altogether. Is it dehydration, muscle fatigue, something else? Any thoughts?

Ow. Sounds like no fun. I'd treat it like dehydration and fatigue for starters, but you might also consider the possibility of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. When I had a similar experience a couple of years ago, what helped immediately was starting a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement on the recommendation of my doc.

Good thing we're doing less-is-more tonight!

It might be a nerve problem. A stretched nerve can behave like that (particularly if there's an accompanying pins-and-needles feeling in a nearby extremity). They can often resolve themselves with time and taking it easy. If it's a pinched nerve or some other neural issue, then it could be a more complicated situation that would benefit from a doctor's input if it continues.

I get twinges as well, and some of them are similar to what you describe. They seem to be associated with my inflamed sciatic nerve and piriformis syndrome. Maybe you sustained a small injury that you didn't notice at the time, and it's affecting your nerves? Personally, I'd take it easy for a couple of days, or at least don't exercise or strain the body part that is twinging, and if they don't ease up, go to a doctor.

It can be pretty scary when the twingy body part just gives out, eh? My left glues and hamstrings decided to take a random vacation a little while ago right in the middle of a professional development day that I was presenting at. I went to stand up at coffee break, and the glute/ham in question went numb - I buckled right onto the table. Happily they were working again by the time that I had to stand up and deliver my session at the front of the room, but it was pretty scary!

Hips are funny things - they can take a lot of abuse and then give out for no apparent reason. It's not difficult to overwork or strain them and not realize it until much later. Have your hip twinges let up or changed at all?

yep, gone today, as usual - I'm totally back to normal as of about 2 o'clock yesterday, so it was just a morning thing. They never last too long. I'm going to ask my doctor about the possibility of it being a nerve thing. My husband thinks it is just muscle fatigue, but you know they are odd little things and I wouldn't mind knowing more about the twinge phenomenon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.