query lock

Hi,

 

I have a performance issue; I need help in fixing it.

 

I have a query which takes considerable amount of time, during this time
any update on the table involved in the query gets locked.

Similarly the queries are waiting till the update is over.

Is there a way to make both (queries and updates) to go in parallel in
case of MYISAM tables?

 

But two updates should follow synchronization.

 

Also when the query decides to make temporary copy inorder to do
filesort, will it lock the tables for update?

 

All your help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Ila.