More on my IT band and my coach is nuts!

[VeloVT]

Hey KSH,
what is ART? Is it like postural release technique? I had a bad case of peroneal tendinitis (tendon that wraps from outer calf behind ankle and around the lateral side of the foot) this spring while marathon training. We spent weeks doing iontophoresis which didn't really do much. At that point they did a full assessment to see if I was an orthotics candidate. Turns out I wasn't a great orthotics candidate -- so they had to brainstorm some way to help my unyielding tendinitis. One of the PTs suggested postural release massage -- and it was totally miraculous for me. It did more in two session than twelve sessions of ionto accomplished. After four sessions I was running as much as I wanted again.

I really hope you find something that helps. I have had ITB issues that prevented me from getting up and down stairs before, so I empathize -- and I also empathize with the fear of possibly not being able to complete a race you've invested time, energy and emotion in for months (my foot actually didn't heal in time for me to run my marathon this spring, after four months of training -- I was hoping to run in just over 3 hours and was on track to get there, so I was majorly disappointed. I'm going to run that race this year though, no matter what!).

So best of luck, and I'm SURE there's something out there that will help!!!!

<<sending healing thoughts & good running karma>>

[KSH]

Hey KSH,
what is ART? Is it like postural release technique? I had a bad case of peroneal tendinitis (tendon that wraps from outer calf behind ankle and around the lateral side of the foot) this spring while marathon training. We spent weeks doing iontophoresis which didn't really do much. At that point they did a full assessment to see if I was an orthotics candidate. Turns out I wasn't a great orthotics candidate -- so they had to brainstorm some way to help my unyielding tendinitis. One of the PTs suggested postural release massage -- and it was totally miraculous for me. It did more in two session than twelve sessions of ionto accomplished. After four sessions I was running as much as I wanted again.

I really hope you find something that helps. I have had ITB issues that prevented me from getting up and down stairs before, so I empathize -- and I also empathize with the fear of possibly not being able to complete a race you've invested time, energy and emotion in for months (my foot actually didn't heal in time for me to run my marathon this spring, after four months of training -- I was hoping to run in just over 3 hours and was on track to get there, so I was majorly disappointed. I'm going to run that race this year though, no matter what!).

So best of luck, and I'm SURE there's something out there that will help!!!!

<<sending healing thoughts & good running karma>>

Well, hard to say exactly what ART is... I just know that it's deep tissue work that someone trained to do it, does. Typically Chiros seem to get training in it and offer it.

I hope I find something that works... and SOON! Although, if I never run another day in my life, I'll be fine with that. I hate running. My body rejects it and it's completely miserable for me.

Happy to hear that your problems were fixed! That's great! Sorry to hear about the marathon. That sucks. But yea, you just have to say you are going to race it no matter what.

Someone asked if I was going to race now because of my IT band problem... and I looked at them like they were NUTS! Of course I'm still racing!

[Running Mommy]

ART= ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE (or thereapy. I always mess that one up).

I believe that it's kinda like a deep tissue massage type thing that loosens up the fascia that get's tight from the heavy loads that come with a heavy training schedule.

I've had ART guys work on me during IM training when my muscles get "loaded up" with junk and MAN does it loosen me up and make me feel better.
In the later parts of my heavy training periods I always notice that I feel heavy and my muscles almost feel like they are ready to snap. I also start getting niggles of pain here and there. That's my cue to call my ART guy.

[VeloVT]

Hmmm. What I had done that made an enormous difference was like this (sorry this is such a bad explanation ):

Therapist would knead around the problem area and find trigger spots, then, while applying pressure to the trigger spot, she'd twist/push/manipulate the position of my foot/lower leg until the knot released. I was skeptical at first but it really worked miracles. After the ionto calmed down the initial "I can't walk more than 100 yds" acute pain, my tendinitis really didn't get any better for about two months -- I couldn't run more than three miles at a time -- and just a few sessions of postural release massage basically made it go away.

I really hope you find something that works soon!!!

[KSH]

Well, I went and had ART done on Tuesday. It hurt.

Wednesday I went to the Orthopedic who sees sports related injuries. They spoke to the fact that jabbing on the inflammed tissue wasn't really going to fix the problem. I think they are right. The ART only made me really sore.

The Dr. spoke to me maybe having a weakness in my hips, glutes, etc causing the IT band pain and inflammation. I can see that. I have slacked big time on core work and strength exercises.

They gave me a prescription to reduce the inflammation. I started it today.

I am going to start walking the miles I need to run starting tonight. Of course, I'm about 2 weeks out from the race. Race day will me just seeing what happens!

[HeatherErin]

Therapist would knead around the problem area and find trigger spots, then, while applying pressure to the trigger spot, she'd twist/push/manipulate the position of my foot/lower leg until the knot released. I was skeptical at first but it really worked miracles. After the ionto calmed down the initial "I can't walk more than 100 yds" acute pain, my tendinitis really didn't get any better for about two months -- I couldn't run more than three miles at a time -- and just a few sessions of postural release massage basically made it go away.

I had something similar done (for my elbow) - they called it strain/counterstrain. I also had fabulous results - but I don't fully understand how it works.

Sorry for the hi-jack. I hope you feel better soon, KSH!

[teigyr]

Racewalking isn't a bad thing! I used to do it competitively when I was too injured to run - this was about in Jr. High so I started young with the injuries. In nationals, I racewalked a 6 min 26 second mile. It takes a bit to get the style down but once you do, it's a lot of fun.

Now, I hope your friends/neighbors/loved ones are nice to you about it. It can be goofy looking.

I hope you get all of this sorted out with no permanent injury. I can't believe your coach. Sometimes they forget what it's like, I think.