How to know when it is time...

[Veronica]

Just go to the doctor. Then you'll know what's wrong and what to do about it.

Veronica

[azfiddle]

Catrin,
You're getting some good advice and suggestions. Here's a related story with my 2 cents worth of advice. Last spring, I suddenly got pain on the outside of one knee when cycling. I came to the conclusion that the IT band was irritated, due to too much hard climbing on the bike.

I went to the doctor and she sent me to a PT. Yes, there was inflammation in the IT band, but as difficult as it was for me to accept at the time, the PT blamed my hips being out of alignment, and prescribed a bunch of stretching and strengthening exercises for my legs, lower abdomen, etc. My hamstrings were really tight, as were my calves and piriformis (a muscle in the butt). I was very unstable when standing and walking for a while.

The PT took me off the bike completely for a couple weeks, then encouraged me to ride short, flat and easy rides for a while. The whole thing felt worse before it got better, and it took about 3 months altogether. At the end of 3months, I was able to ride up to 100 miles a week again, including a long climb up Mt. St. Helens. My left side still has some tight hamstrings at times, much more than the right, but if I go back to the stretching, even a couple of days, it improves right away.

A car accident a week before the pain started may or may not have been responsible for the hips being "out". On the other hand, it may have just been overuse, without enough stretching. We're not kids anymore and we have to be a little bit more careful with overuse...

Main points:
1-no MRI or other expensive tests were needed to identify the problem- it was a hands-on and observation by the PT.

2. I was faithful about doing the prescribed series of exercises, although I tried to ride again too much/too soon and probably set myself back a little.

3. I went for several massage therapy and chiropractor appointments, and I think they were helpful and confirmed what the PT was saying, though the perspective was not identical.

4. Go get it checked out- and do your stretches!

[Catrin]

Azfiddle - thanks for your story. We will likely never know what caused it, but I was pretty good at starting physical activity without warming up there for a time, got a little overconfident I think. I deadlift close to my body weight, and squat more than my weight and I suspect that this tendency of mine is at least related to it...

I did go for a gentle hike today, and yeah, it came and went. I am still trying to justify going to spinning class tomorrow night and just spinning lightly... I cannot swim, and I've got to get SOME real exercise to keep my blood sugar in control. I do not take medication for the diabetes. Hopefully just a few days off the bike won't mess things up too much.

Thanks all for the good advice. If resting doesn't show improvement by Thursday will see my dr. Friday.

[DMC]

what everyone else said. plus RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) after every ride, every walk, every trainer session. Ice helps healing a LOT.

You might want to as your PT to check for muscle adhesions and scar tissue build up. It affects how well the muscle works and can cause a lot of pain. I've been getting ART massage and Graston Technique on problem areas in my right quad and IT band and both have helped immensely. It hurts like hell, but its worth it.

Lastly, you don't NEED to get an MRI unless its a sharp pain. azfiddle is right, a talented PT/chiropractor can tell a lot about what's wrong with a hands on exam.

[Catrin]

what everyone else said. plus RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) after every ride, every walk, every trainer session. Ice helps healing a LOT.

You might want to as your PT to check for muscle adhesions and scar tissue build up. It affects how well the muscle works and can cause a lot of pain. I've been getting ART massage and Graston Technique on problem areas in my right quad and IT band and both have helped immensely. It hurts like hell, but its worth it.

Lastly, you don't NEED to get an MRI unless its a sharp pain. azfiddle is right, a talented PT/chiropractor can tell a lot about what's wrong with a hands on exam.

Had a deep tissue massage last night and things are feeling better today, noticably. There is indeed inflammation and we figured out just where and which hamstring muscle is sore. He showed me how to roll it out with the medicine ball and a couple of stretches that I wasn't familar with that will also help. The MT seems to know his stuff, and he did do other things along with deep muscle massage - he didn't want to hurt me. I feel loads better today I wish that I could afford to see him a couple more times - the difference is amazing!

Am holding off on the dr. appointment. I can get in quickly if I need to do so.

[malkin]

what everyone else said. plus RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) after every ride, every walk, every trainer session. Ice helps healing a LOT.

Anytime you just want to sit, all you have to do is proclaim "I have to ice my (insert body part here)". And if you rest it on the ice bag, your drink will stay colder longer!

[Catrin]

Anytime you just want to sit, all you have to do is proclaim "I have to ice my (insert body part here)". And if you rest it on the ice bag, your drink will stay colder longer!

Oooo, I like this

I also have some stretches to do and to roll the hamstring out on a medicine ball (rather than the foam roller). I forgot to ask if I should do this before or after activity, but I think I will do it before. Do I have it backwards?

[DMC]

Anytime you just want to sit, all you have to do is proclaim "I have to ice my (insert body part here)". And if you rest it on the ice bag, your drink will stay colder longer!

This is a Mar-GO-rita. I discovered them in a gas station in VA on the way back from a cycling trip. Its like capri-sun for grown ups. I brought home a few, and I'm fully on board with this new technology.

They work great as post-run/ride ice packs. Once they have been on for the prescribed 20 minutes, they are thawed to slushy consistency!

[Catrin]

This is a Mar-GO-rita. I discovered them in a gas station in VA on the way back from a cycling trip. Its like capri-sun for grown ups. I brought home a few, and I'm fully on board with this new technology.

They work great as post-run/ride ice packs. Once they have been on for the prescribed 20 minutes, they are thawed to slushy consistency!

Perfect! I wonder if one could do this with beer.....hmmm...probably not. Hate to ruin good beer by freezing it.