Let’s get physical
It’s time again for your twice daily update on my health!
I got up at 5:30 this morning to go to PT. When I got there there were the usual forms to fill out etc. Finally around 7:15 I was taken back to the therapist and he asked me all the usual questions about pain, where it hurt, how much I run etc.
First up were some range of motion movements for assessment purposes. He seemed astonished at how far outwardly my hips would allow my legs to go. And he was equally astonished at how poorly inwardly my legs will turn. If you have ever looked at my feet when I am standing (and you haven’t) my feet splay outward forming a V. Putting my feet straight forward actually feels like I am turning them inward, even though they are simply parallel with one another.
His greatest amazement however was saved for when he saw what my feet do when I stand on them (something I like to use them for). You see, I pronate (hey, who doesn’t!) but like everything else I do, I don’t do it half-assed, oh no, I go all the way!
His eyes got really big and he said “When you are laying down, your feet look normal. But when you stand on them, they collapse inward pretty badly”. I already knew this, it’s why I wear motion control shoes to run in. He also confirmed that my left leg is longer than my right leg. Interestingly, he mentioned that the body will compensate for the discrepancy by …pronating further. In effect my left foot (the same side as my hip) is a over pronation nightmare. He is convinced this is what has caused my problem.
The prescription is custom orthotics. I am now 250 dollars poorer, but in two weeks, I should have my new inserts.
In addition to that, my flexibility is quite bad. And this was interesting. The usual calf exercise that people do doesn’t work for over pronators, because the foot rolls under and you feel like it’s not doing anything. He had me stand with half my foot up on a 1/2 piece of wood, and do the same stretch again. That time it really hurt. Bottom line, I need to increase flexibility. I knew this, I was just being bad at it.
Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for…WHEN CAN I RUN AGAIN?!?!? Well, according to the therapist, I can go running today if I want. However he thinks that would be a bad idea ;) He wants me to take another week off and start riding the bike, and working on my flexibility. He said if I did run on it, I wouldn’t need surgery or anything, but that it would continue to hurt and remain irritated. I mentioned that I was signed up for the Jingle Bell Run on December 9th, and he thought it made sense to wait till a few days before that and try a 2 miler. If I thought I could run without causing myself pain, I could run (not race) the Jingle Bell.
I can live with that. I think Saturday I am going to join a gym. Need to cross train and lift anyway.
I feel better after talking to him, and my hip feels a little better today too.
Well that all sounds not so bad! Great to hear.
That’s good… right?
Yep, it’s good news. I actually feel pretty good mentally about the whole thing.
Also, interestingly, my hip is feeling much better as well. *shrug* Who knows with this crazy body of mine.
I hit the free weights at LA Fitness on Tuesday for the first time in ages. The results were pretty humiliating and I’m still sore today, but if you will be looking for someone to lift with I’d be happy to join you.