My trip to Scotland was fantastic, and although I was unable to do any of the trail running planned, my new Black Dimond trekking poles were a game-changer, not just for my mental health, allowing me to get out into the mountains, but also physically.
How do poles help?
- Proven to reduce load through your knees, especially when going downhill
- Improve overall power and endurance when walking uphill
- Shares muscular load more evenly throughout your body, with around 90% of muscles used, including better utilisation of arm and core strength
Back into The Physio Clinic and it was time for an assessment. While the pain is settling, I continue to experience pain with stairs, stepping backward, or any impact. Anh took a thorough history and completed a full assessment, providing a provisional diagnosis of an acute patella tendon injury. It was time to face reality. I am not strong enough to complete two challenging trail marathons with a combined elevation of 7,000ft just two weeks apart.
Treatment begins with possibly the most painful massage I have had in a long time
Anh worked through my left quad, ITB, and into the patella tendon. While this was the most painful massage I had received in a long time, it really highlighted how much my muscles were struggling. No wonder my knee hurts!
Did you know The Physio Clinic hires Compex machines? I have initially been using the Compex TENS function daily for 20 minutes which works to:
- Relax muscles to reduce pressure on my knee
- Reduce pain by stimulating endorphins
- Increase blood circulation to promote healing
- Reduce inflammation
In addition to the soft tissue treatment and Compex machine instruction, Anh is also one of The Physio Clinic’s qualified Pilates Instructor, so perfectly positioned to guide me on my initial glute strengthening exercises that will support my knee moving forward.
Next steps…
- Avoid and limit aggravating factors
- Promote healing with stretches and Compex machine
