Physical Therapy

My AT did not respond to the drugs like I'd hoped. I was sad because I was really hoping I had the magic fix. The next step was physical therapy. Several fellow runners told me that the best choice was a program called ASTYM. I had read about it on the Runner's World AT forum, and many runners were praising it and others were lamenting it not being available in their area. Well, lucky me - it's available here! Surprising given how much is NOT available here.

I started ASTYM on Tuesday. Today was my second visit. I will be going twice a week for a while. I am not allowed to run or bike outside. I am free to do all the swimming and indoor biking I can stand. I can also lift weights as long as I don't do calf raises.

My impression of ASTYM so far is that it HURTS! Of course, this is apparently a well-known trait of this type of therapy. The website uses language like, "run instruments firmly along your skin". This means they will scrap you raw with hard plastic nubs, and you will wince and whimper the whole time. She did tell me I would have some bruising. She was right. And today, at visit 2, I had the joy of having my bruises rubbed with instruments!

I know it will all be worth it. ASTYM is apparently the fastest path back to running from AT. But when I'm face down in the pillow with the plastic wand of torture rubbing me I start to wonder if I really miss running THAT much. But I do. I miss it every day.