For a while now (and I mean a long while now), I've been experiencing issues with my right hamstring. It would become irritated, bother me, I would rest/ice it, then it would feel better and I would move on. This cycle occurred once every couple of months, but it definitely continued. After some time had passed, I noticed that the interval between "flareups" was becoming shorter and shorter before one day, the pain stopped going away and began to travel higher - above my hamstring - and started to cause leg stiffness. I decided I would take a 2 week break from running (after Mayhem at Orangetheory was over) and mostly rest while on our cruise - with the exception being National Running Day because...hello, I can't miss that day.
My leg mostly felt ok on the cruise until our formal night when I was trying to waste time and chased Brayden up and down several flights of stairs for 45 minutes in heels. (Dumbest move, ever.) On National Running Day, I ran 2 miles around the ship and although I definitely enjoyed the run, that nagging pain was in my leg the entire time which also led to leg stiffness for the next day or so. It was only then that I decided to push my stubbornness out of the way and call my ortho. They were able to fit me in the following week and before I knew it, I had an order for physical therapy in hand!
Starting on a new physical therapy journey with an entirely new (to me) PT was scary and exciting all at the same time. Lucky for me, the one I chose is a runner, and her office is literally located down the hall from my work space! When I tell you this scenario literally could not have worked out more perfect, I seriously mean it!
This physical therapy center is setup in a one on one type manner. Basically, I have the undivided attention of my physical therapist for the entire 45 minute session and it's wonderful! She focuses on deep tissue, cupping (ouch), and proper technique.
What type of work does she have me doing? Well, on the first day, she introduced the...(insert ominous music here)...theraband...and I actually groaned out loud. For those who attend Orangetheory, I'm sure you feel me on this one! I always avoid theraband days if I can - which is probably why I landed myself in this boat in the first place! Note to self - do not avoid Orangetheory theraband days in the future!
Interestingly enough through all of this - my IT Band has not bothered me AT ALL which is amazing to be honest!
I've officially made it to the 6 week mark of a running/Orangetheory break which also means I've completed 6 weeks of physical therapy thus far. How am I feeling? Well, I the pain has gotten a LOT better. Although the pain is still there, it's not even close to the scale it was prior to starting with PT. I saw my ortho last week for a follow up and he was encouraged with my progress. He re-certified me for an additional round of PT and I'm so grateful! Hopefully with a few additional weeks of visits and strengthening, I'll be able to start running again slowly and we will see where that leads!
I also realize that hamstrings are quirky and can become re-injured at any time. Keeping up with this strength training is going to be ever important for me as I continue on with my running journey. I'm ready!!
So tell me, have you ever dealt with a running related injury? How did you overcome it? Anyone else have a successful hamstring injury story?
Today, I'm also linking up with KookyRunner and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics!
I dealt with a running injury a few years ago (ITB) and ended up doing PT for about 6 weeks. It was super helpful and I actually still implement a lot of those PT moves weekly to help keep my cranky ITB happy.
ReplyDeleteSame for my IT Band as well! Glad yours is doing better!
DeleteSo good to hear that you got help with this issue and it sounds like your PT is awesome! I bet you have come to the same conclusion as I have regarding some of the PT exercises - these are forever exercises...and that's OK because as you can tell, they do work.
ReplyDeleteI did have a hamstring injury several years ago and I did PT, which helped, but wasn't as great as my current PT is (or yours, it sounds like).
Yes, that’s a great way to put it - forever exercises! Yay...haha!
DeleteGlad you feel better and you can run again even if slowly.
ReplyDeleteI had a hamstring injures story and I solved the problem with 4 injections of hyaluronic acid, one week of stop and slow runs for other 2 weeks.
But I also had a terrible running injury when I felt (jan. 2016) on the ground during a workout and I broke my right shoulder.
OUCH! I’m so sorry to hear about your injury(ies)! That sounds so painful!
DeleteI had on/off piriformis issues for years, but at one time it was diagnosed as hamstring tendonitis.I had a few different rounds of PT, as well. Bottom line, I think it came down to warming up/cooling down (and the fact that I wasn't doing wither very effectively LOL). Thankfully, things have been much better for me in recent years...I did have that 3-month sabbatical after my surgery (two years ago), and I can't help but wonder if my hamstring(s) benefited from the lack of running during that down time. Anyways, I try to always do some kind of warm-up/cool-down and stretch after my runs. I still probably should to do more ongoing PT work (on my own) to keep any probs from reappearing....I Hope all your PT continues to go well for you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the tips! I’ll definitely keep that in mind!
DeleteInjuries are the worse. I had an achilles tendonitis while marathon training which slowed me down for over 2 or 3 weeks. I used an ice bath x 10 mins followed by warm water bath x 10 mins and repeated 3 times after my runs and it seemed to help.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your recovery.
Oh goodness! Your injury and the ice baths do not sound pleasant! Glad you are feeling better!
DeleteSo glad to hear that your PT is helping you so much. Unfortunately, I think we all go through some sort of injury. I have had my share of stress fractures and tendinitis. Keep doing what you are doing and you will be back soon!
ReplyDeleteYou’re right - sadly it happens to all long term runners in the end! Thank you!!
DeleteGlad you are feeling better! I've also had ITBand issues and I used therabands with my PT. Right now I have a wonky kneecap that moves a little when I bend (it doesn't hurt), knee bursitis, and plantar fasciitis.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Karen! Hopefully you'll be back to normal after another round of PT and the exercises will help to prevent issues in the future. At least your time off came during the hot part of the year so when you start running again it will be cooler!
ReplyDelete