Don't Hurt Yourself the Hips Don't Lie

I have Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. “Spastic diplegia/diparesis: Muscle stiffness is mainly in the legs, with the arms less affected or not affected at all. Tight hip and leg muscles cause legs to pull together, turn inward, and cross at the knees (also known as scissoring), making walking difficult” (CDC). What does that look like for me?

The spasticity in my left leg is so tense that my right leg has done most of the work for my movement and balance. It's taken a toll after four decades. My right leg though less spastic has endured the most pain. My hips are so tight it's hard to describe. I usually use the snare on a snare drum imagery because of how tight those are, but even that's not really accurate because you can release the snare without major surgery. 

I've had a bilateral release of both hamstrings and heel cords on two separate occasions to reduce the spastic tension. My arms are stronger than my legs. My left arm has a fair amount of spasticity, to the point that it cannot fully rotate. My right arm isn't spastic really, but it's had a few injuries. 

Here's the thing about my spasticity. Relief doesn't last long at all. The muscles do what they do because that's the message they've received from the brain. Certain things help make my lived experience better, but most of it is temporary. It puts me in my body every day, all day. Right now, I can feel the heat in my right calf, the tingling in my right foot (not from CP), the tension in my hips (especially the right one), the pressure in my lower back (not from CP), the heat and tension in my right shoulder (carpal tunnel aftermath), and just about every muscle in both legs (the right leg is more agitated at the moment). 

That list was from a momentary inventory of what's happening in my body right now. I'm sure I could identify more if I did some body scanning. Does anything make those things go away? Not for long. My favorite option is therapeutic massage, but I can't do as much of that as my body needs. It's not considered a medical expense, but it's absolutely the most effective for me. 

Routine things that are impacted by the spasticity I experience: balance, stamina, stepping over things, standing still for too long, hurdle movements, stability on uneven surfaces, sleep because I'm rarely comfortable, stability when carrying large objects (sorry kids, no piggy back rides), holding objects that require balance (drinks without lids, plates at buffets, etc.). Oh yeah, I can't bend my toes on my left foot (the motor control isn't there). Getting dressed every day is one of my most impacted tasks. I have to plan every movement. 

Due to fatigue, I don't frequently walk long distances because I need to make sure I can manage the round-trip. My gait isn't steady or smooth. In spite of that, I average over 3,500 steps per day. Obstacles are my biggest concern when walking. Clear and open spaces are beneficial for me.