Back during the Avon Walk on June, my foot/ankle started bothering me. I even went to an urgent care when I finished Ragnar the following weekend. I was diagnosed with a sprained ankle, fixed with an air cast, given a few exercises to do at home, and sent on my way. I wore the brace for a couple weeks, and felt somewhat better. I was even able to run without pain.
Some motions still bothered me, and I was often icing my foot in the evening. I did some WebMD searching, yea, not the greatest idea. It sounded like some of my symptoms were in line with extensor tendinitis and others with a stress fracture. I decided that I shouldn’t have to just deal with it, and I wanted to get the range of motion back in my foot, so I sought out physical therapy recommendations.
I settled on Melissa from Kinesi, LLC. I really liked that she had a dance background. I hoped she would understand that I didn’t need to stop moving. I was so relieved when I met with her! I was far enough past my initial diagnosis, that I most likely wouldn’t benefit from immobilization. She got to work checking my current range of motion in my ankle, watching my gait, and gently maneuvering my foot to see what was “sticking”.
Some motions still bothered me, and I was often icing my foot in the evening. I did some WebMD searching, yea, not the greatest idea. It sounded like some of my symptoms were in line with extensor tendinitis and others with a stress fracture. I decided that I shouldn’t have to just deal with it, and I wanted to get the range of motion back in my foot, so I sought out physical therapy recommendations.
I settled on Melissa from Kinesi, LLC. I really liked that she had a dance background. I hoped she would understand that I didn’t need to stop moving. I was so relieved when I met with her! I was far enough past my initial diagnosis, that I most likely wouldn’t benefit from immobilization. She got to work checking my current range of motion in my ankle, watching my gait, and gently maneuvering my foot to see what was “sticking”.
At first, the poking and prodding didn’t make any symptoms worse, good news. The massaging actually made things feel better, great news. I wasn’t totally feeling better though. So, she kept looking. I am always telling people that when you injure your right knee, it totally makes sense you sprain your left ankle. The body is all connected, and you are compensating for one section and causing issue with another. Well, I am seeing first hand just how connected my body is. When Melissa tested the mobility in my back, I had less range of motion on one side. It wasn’t painful, or even noticed at all by me. Remember how I described my ankle as getting stuck? Well, when you are standing and twist your back, your ankle needs to move (your arch actually lifts or flattens, depending on the direction of your twist). My ankle was getting stuck, so my twist was being stopped short on one side.
We are six sessions in, so I am at least halfway through my treatment. I can’t speak for Melissa, but I feel that I am progressing at an awesome rate. I still have a couple motions that are a no go for my foot, but improvement is always welcome. I am excited that we have decided that I can train for the Hot Chocolate still. I even recently tested my foot at a 5K that supports the Willow House, and I got a PR!
Through all this therapy exercise and massage, I am learning a great warm up routine for my body before I exercise. I didn’t feel as though my feelings were validated at the urgent care center, which is why I didn’t follow up with my regular doctor. I often tell people they should seek a good doctor/therapist/etc to help them through feelings and pains, both physical and mental. I am re-energized that you must find a professional that listens to you and your concerns, and will work with finding ways to make the initial problem better. Too often we treat the symptoms and not the problem.
I am hoping to fully heal and find myself even stronger in my work outs and daily activities. Have you found a great therapist, in any capacity, for yourself? Anyone you want to recommend here in the comments?
I am hoping to fully heal and find myself even stronger in my work outs and daily activities. Have you found a great therapist, in any capacity, for yourself? Anyone you want to recommend here in the comments?