Today’s topic for Tuesdays on the Run is alternative treatments. Have you ever tried something outside the standard medical realm? Join Patty, April and myself and tell us what you’ve tried and how it worked out for you.
I had my first experience with a chiropractor shortly after my first experience with minimalist shoes. Yes, sadly, the two were related. My body wasn’t so hot on the idea of zero drop and I didn’t transition slowly enough.
End result? A truly pissed off achilles tendon. The chiropractor I went to did some work on my foot and my calf and used electrical stimulation on the area. Then he taped me up with KT tape and I was good to go. I ended up back there a couple of times and they got me on the road again each time. I was still skeptical though as I felt like I wasn’t making progress in preventing the same problem from happening again.
Fast forward a bit to when I was training for my first five half marathons in five days. I made a poor shoe choice and strained my calf. Then I made an even poorer choice and kept running. I quickly ended up barely able to walk.
Enter a sports chiropractor who practiced ART or Active Release Technique.
What is ART?
ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles. Source: Active Release Techniques
ART saved my calf and saved my races. I nearly screamed while it was being done (seriously, I swear it hurt worse than childbirth and I gave birth to Shoo at home with no drugs!) But it was the most amazing treatment! I seriously went from unable to walk without a limp to running again in less than two weeks. 6 weeks later, I ran 5 half marathons in 5 days!
I’ve been back a few times since, including one time where we discovered that my right hip is the source of most of my problems with my calf and my achilles. How did we determine that? Because it hurt so bad when he dug into my hip that I nearly jumped off the table. However, a few ART sessions later and I’ve had no problems in almost two years. (Judging by how my ankle is feeling after too many hills this week, I may need to visit again.)
Despite being a bit of a crunchy, granola chick, chiropractic work is the only alternative treatment I’ve tried. I do have friends who swear by acupuncture and needling, as well as a variety of other options. If ART ever doesn’t do the trick for me, you know I’ll be checking them out.
Have you tried anything that you’d consider as “alternative medicine”? Did it work? Would you do it again???
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I had success with chiro, ART, and Graston to solve most of my minor running injuries. I also took cortisone shots in my knee before having surgery.
AmyC recently posted…Do this one thing and every workout will feel brand new!
I’m guessing most of us are going to share chiropractic experiences. I haven’t had ART done, but I have another runner friend who swears by it.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Treating running injuries
I have had the most success with ART and chiropractors. Although my PT did ART too, I think the combo of it with adjustments too works best for me. I have also done dry needling which I think can be really helpful for certain problems!
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine recently posted…Three Ways I Use The Forerunner 620 Features
I truly believe that all my pain has stemmed from wearing the zero drop shoes. After hearing other bloggers suggest it, I so badly wanted to have ART done. My chiropractor would not do it to me because he said it would hurt way too much. I was prepared for it! Now after reading your post, i’m kind of glad I didn’t have it done. I still am not completely healed and would love to rid this pain for good though. Do you think it would still hurt as bad now?
My chiropractor uses ART too and you are so right!! It will take my breath away when he hits a spot that needs it. It works though. I’ve a combo of adjustments for hips and back and feel a world of difference after. It’s good stuff!!
Melanie@runnergirlinarockingworld.com recently posted…Fitness Traps
My chiro used Graston but not ART. Sounds like it was torture but worth it!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Alternative treatments help keep me running
I started seeing a chiro and ART in 2013 and am still going. I go once a month to make sure my spine and hips are in alignment, and to get that ART checkup too.
Lesley recently posted…Monday Musings 7/20
I’ve never gone to a chiro but have seriously considered it to help my back and hips. My boyfriend goes every week to help his forward head posture.. he was getting severe migraines and now they are completely gone!
Liz recently posted…7 Best Kitchen Tools for a Healthy Chef
Oh yes! I’ve had success with a sports chiropractor. For my achilles tendonitis the treatment was ART, Graston Therapy and Ultrasound. Those treatments got me on the road to healing along with core strength and stability work!
Kara {MaineGirl2Runs} recently posted…Runner Thoughts: A Q & A Interview with Myself
ART was the only thing that helped me with pain and tingling from a herniated disc in my C6-C7 vertebrae. I had tried massage, physiotherapy, accupuncture (with electric current!) – nothing worked. I love ART… even if it kind of hurts.
Axel (from Iron Rogue) recently posted…Going Long On the Bike & Starting My Race Nutrition Journey
I’m seeing a chiro now for IT band issues (both legs). He uses ART and Graston. And they both hurt! But I think it’s helping? 🙂
Rachel recently posted…2015 Half Marathon Training: Week 4
I have received acupuncture a few times and if I could afford it, I would do it ALL the time!
Smitha @ http://www.runningwithsdmom.com recently posted…#SDMomBirthdayGIVEAWAY Prize 8 – @GetDrCool Wraps #GIVEAWAY
I tried Graston therapy 2x for my Plantar issues and it really didn’t do anything. ART has helped me in the past with some issues.
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Summer “Squiche”
I’ve had acupuncture and I know for a fact that it can get rid of headaches.
Char recently posted…Getting A Handle on Things.
OH yea, I love the chiropractors office. I call it the House of Pain. But seriously, he has kept me running, no doubt! Stim, graston, ART, you name it.
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…MCM Training Recap–Week 2
I frequent a chiropractor, but he’s just part of my life now, so I don’t consider him out of the ordinary. haha He’s done Graston therapy on me a couple of times for different issues and it’s always helped. I tried acupuncture once but I can’t say for sure whether or not it helped.
Pam recently posted…Weekend Recap: Running, Reading, and a Quick Roadtrip
Wow! I think I should consider ART down the line if my shin/calf pain ever acts up again (it’s absolutely my most injury-prone area). I’m happy you found something the helps you 🙂
Victoria at Ice Packs + Races recently posted…Training Recap: Navy Air Force Half Marathon Week #3