The blog-o-sphere is a friendly place. Just a few hours ago, I sent out a message to Jeff to ask if he knew of running near La Jolla for my friend and sports massage therapist Kris. He didn’t know, but promptly forwarded the email to Anne – who *did*. Thanks Anne for the great running links. I know that Kris will be happy to have them for her 20 mile training run.
I went to see Kris today for assessment, treatment, and advice on my condition. Not only is Kris an experienced triathlete and distance runner, but also she is no stranger to being injured. Apparently, she had to stop running for 6 months! She knows how much I love running. She knows my personal goals. I trust her opinion.
Kris began with the interview. She listened to me describe my where my aches and pains were, what makes them worse and better, and my confession regarding Nike. She wasn’t judgemental; she knows that I already know that *I* set my healing back. I will have to deal with that in the coming weeks. Kris watched me walk and then she began to work.
With a thumb push here, and some palm pressure there, she began to identify areas of trouble. My peroneals are tight – that was confirmed. Other areas were tender too. There was no way of knowing whether or not I have a stress fracture though. Kris worked to loosen up some of the problem spots with massage and stretching. More importantly, she showed me what I could do to continue the process.
– Peroneal stretching using a towel or yoga strap
– Continue gastrocnemius and soleus stretch
– Use foam roller on the areas listed above
– Continue Ice Baths but avoid direct icing to peroneal tendon
– Back off of strengthening exercises if they continue to aggravate the injury
– Continue Ibuprofen 3X/Day
– Walk “normally” as much as able to do so
– Call the podiatrist to let them know that the MRI still hasn’t been scheduled
I’ve got my list. In addition, she told me a local pool that has a deep section for water running. I was afraid that the expensive athletic club was my only “local” option. She also pointed out that the rowing machine, should I have to be casted, would help to maintain cardiovascular fitness. I hope that I won’t have to resort to either of these options, but it is good to have them in reserve.
Keep making the right moves, Juls!!
My daughter who is a gymnast had the same type for of problem. Her xrays were negative. PT for 3 weeks with no relief. Finally an MRI found her stress fracture. Sounds like your doing all the right stuff.
It’s so great that you have someone like Kris in your corner to help get you through this thing. Keep doing the right things.
If you google “peroneal tendon” you can look at all of the bad things that can happen to your feet when you run every day. I think I should prefer to stay in a state of ignorant denial about my own recurrent aches and pains!
Juls: I was able to bike and water run when I had a foot injury and when I had a stress fracture. The bike kept me in better shape than the water running because I was able to get my HR up to close to the levels I run at. The water running is a great option but you may lose fitness. Hopefully, you won’t have to seek alternatives for too long. You’re doing all the right things.