I had another challenging session at Marathon Physical Therapy today. I don’t really know what I was expecting when I started, but these sessions are tough – full of shaky-leg-inducing exercises. Turns out my left leg is just full of surprises! Not only are we working on my hip strength and limited ankle dorsiflexion, but we’re also trying to correct a stuck fibula head! As my PT explained it, the fibula head tracking is directly related to the the limited ankle range of motion, the hip instability, and tight ITB – yep I’m developing a much better understanding of the whole kinetic chain.
What’s interesting to me is that I have no discomfort when walking or doing any other cardio activity – just running. But the good news is that I’m making steady progress and I have been able to continue to run.
I do want to get a better handle on figuring out what’s happening when I run. So next up – a gait analysis. One of the reasons I wanted to work with Marathon was because of the great range of sports medicine services they offer. I’ll get to work with one of their running coaches, along with my PT to analyze my gait and figure out what in my mechanics and approach to training I can improve upon so I don’t end up heading down this road again.
Ah, yes, running brings out the best of us and the worst of our bodies! It sounds like you are going to an amazing place. Getting to the root of the issues will pay off for sure.
Coco recently posted…I Want To Run
It really is a great group! I feel like I’m in good hands.
It will be interesting to hear about your gait analysis I did it a few times. Seems like they always tell us we have weak glutes.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Will Run For Chocolate-What Do You Run For?
Yep I think weak glutes is the plight of all runners!
I love the info that your PT is giving you! I work with a CrossFit coach who is also a corrective exercise specialist. She is always having me work on the glutes. Runners are notorious for weak glutes. I just finished a strength cycle and I’ll be posting about that in the next week or so. Weight training has made a huge difference in my running. I hope you get moving again soon!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Road Shark
I really love that my PT never seems to get tired of all of the questions I ask him. I’ll be interested in hearing more about your strength work.
Good luck with your physical therapy! I have been in and out of PT over the last couple years for different tendinitis issues, I’m going right now for runner’s knee. I get some crazy muscle knots in my quad muscles that make my knee hurt when I run, but we’ve been needling and that helps a ton! It hurts but makes a big difference
Sarah Jane @ The Fit Cookie recently posted…Easy Mocha Freeze
Thanks Sarah Jane! Hope you can keep that knee pain at bay.
I’m glad that you’re gaining so much from your physical therapy sessions, and that you’re still able to maintain running! I really need to step up my hip strengthening exercises, I always find a reason to slack off.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Quick Guide to Running Trails in Philadelphia
I know what you mean Janelle – those hip exercises are never fun, but necessary!
Why is running messing up our bodies, I hate it!! Sounds like you have a good team of people to help you out though!!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Love with Food Deluxe Box Unveiling and Review (and a discount)!!
It is frustrating Sue for sure, but I’m really hoping this team will help get me back on the right track.
Good luck with your PT. Sounds like it was a good decision to go with Marathon – it is nice they have an umbrella of sports medicine services.
Jennifer recently posted…Chicago Marathon Training Week 7 â 7/13-7/19
Thanks Jennifer – I’m very lucky to have Marathon so close by!
I’m sorry to hear that your physical therapy sessions have been challenging. I have really bad IT Band Syndrome in both of my legs and have been to physical therapy to get better. Stick with your treatment and you should see improvement over time. Hope that you get better soon!
So how is a stuck fibula head fixed? Does that mean that it is dislocated? Or malformed? I have never heard of that before. Our bodies are so interesting! I tore my MCL a few years ago, and it was so strange to see the way my whole knee was affected. Isn’t physiotherapy amazing?
Jenn recently posted…Last Coffee Date of 2015
Hello Michelle, I really like your thought on Physical Therapy. It has very effective results but you should have patience for it. Thanks for sharing!
Physical therapy is an amazing thing for runners starting to experience pain. Thank you for sharing this!
Yeah thats true. Physical therapy improves your body. Makes your body cope up with your activity.
What’s the update for the glutes?
Hey, thanks! PT is awesome! With pain management, you are improving your strength and flexibility that will allow you to increase your endurance and functional capacity to do physical activities with ease and comfort. Less pain at the very least. Physical therapy can give you your life back 🙂
physical therapy is a good treatment for runners.
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