Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Run Through the Pain?

So I went to my first physical therapist session today. Whereas my doctor was telling me to not even run at all until I started physical therapy, my physical therapist told me that I should be running through the pain. Interesting. He looked at my running schedule and said "hmm we're going to have some catching up to do." Yikes! Anyways, he did the "astym" procedure on my knee. It included pushing these strange plastic objects around my entire leg to break up the fibrosis areas. "Fibrosis" for those of you who aren't familiar with the term like I wasn't...is an area that has lots of scar tissue from working out. When he ran the instrument over an area with fibrosis, it was a bit uncomfortable and felt bumpy. The areas with healthy tissue were smooth. Anyway, I have to do this twice a week and do lots of stretching. I'm also supposed to keep up my running. So hopefully we'll see a long run this week??! I don't know about this running through the pain stuff though. My knee hurt pretty back the last time and was snapping. But I guess I might as well give it a try...

4 comments:

SueBob said...

Yay - you got the green light to run again! That running through the pain thing sounds a little weird to me too - completely against the whole listening to your body idea. But then I don't have experience with this, so I guess the PT would be a better expert than me!

So, I know it was your first appt, but can you tell a difference?

Anonymous said...

I'm seeing a sports chiropractor who has been doing that same astym thing to me. She did it on my calves and they ended up so bruised, but it's amazing to think of how much scar tissue I've got built up inside. I hope this continues to help you feel better!

Anonymous said...

I'll be interested to hear on how ASTYM works for you. It saved my bacon (bad plantar fasciitis) before my first marathon

Rebecca said...

Very interesting! I have NF2 and I do run usually once a week but had this week and last week off as I was resting up before and after my 31.5 mile hike last Sunday.

About a week ago my husband was caressing my shins and noticed that they were not smooth like his. They were lumpy feeling on the bone part. I had never known and never heard of it either. I was wondering if I had stressed the bone with my awkward gate now that I have imbalance. For the past 2 and a half years I have put on some heavy miles walking and running. I walked the seattle full marathon in Nov 2006 and prepared for this long hike last sunday. So I was wondering if damage occured throughout the process of my training.

Fabulous to see you taking part in fundraising for NF and also training! Keeping healthy is the best thing you can do for yourself to achieve the best quality of life with NF for as long as possible. Never let the NF win!

Rebecca :o)