Wow, day 5 without running. I went to Dr. Brady's today at 11am. After filling out 5 pages of forms with repeat info on each, I go back to an office. I was starting to wonder why I was going to a chiropractor for my issues. Then I tell myself he is a chiropractor specializing in sport issues. I talk to his assistant, who gives me a short massage on my calves and feet (sweet a massage is thrown in! about 8-10 minutes). I am also wondering if I am wearing the right clothes (a long flowing skirt, knee highs, which quickly came off-the knee high's that is). So I am laying on my stomach on the table wondering how I am going to meet a doctor when I am laying on a table. He came around and there was a bench on the side, so I was able to just roll over and chat with him about my situation. I told him I wasn't sure if it was psychosis or a real injury. He has me go in another room with exercise equipment, computers and other gadgets. He has me stand on a pad that analyzes my feet. Then I walk on it several times, then I run on it several times. I am starting to get skeptical as I stare at the orthotics on his window sill, "This guy is going to try to sell me orthotics!" But he didn't. He said I pronate, especially on my right foot. Well, my left foot hurts more than my right, so that's probably not the cause. Then we go back in the examining room and I do some squats, and some one legged squats I could barely do because I am not balanced. Then he has me go on the table and he starts to work my legs over and I am a total wuss so I am moaning and groaning. He starts making fun of me and calling me Princess. He asks, does this hurt a couple dozen times. It felt pretty tender around my inside ankles and I said perhaps its just because he is digging in hard, and he said, "No Princess, it's because that's where you are injured." So he kept me laughing and wincing the whole time. Then he does his classic chiro manipulation, and I am struggling to stay loose, because he is saying "Relax" as he is pulling at my leg in ways that almost throw me off the table. Kind of hard to relax, I'd say. He does some stretches and says that he found my problem, that my calves and hams are super tight and I have very little flexibility. I said that if I were flexible I would be a gymnast, not a runner. He said that was a cop out and if he heard me say that excuse again he would show me the door and I could find another physician. He had me rolling. So then he put some ultrasound waves through my worse leg and some a-stem (not sure on spelling). My legs felt so great at the end. Diagnosis: The best news is the diagnosis is that I don't have true achilles tendinitis, but another tendon is strained because of my muscle tightness, but I caught it early enough to train through it. Treatment: He gave me some stretches I need to do several times a day. We will add to that stretching regimin and I guess I have to keep it forever. I guess being flexible and having loose muscles help prevent injury. I will go next week again on M, TH, and some more weekly follow ups, depending on how I am feeling. I think Dr. Brady is going to be part of my running support group. I am so glad I came. So I get to run tomorrow! I will keep it easy for a while. And tax season is over baby! I have been drinking shameful amounts of caffeine the past couple of months. Tomorrow starts detox so I am likely to be quite grouchy for a while. Good thing ya'll are remote buddies so I won't be likely to lash out at any of you!
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