Fit Fare

If you push yourself like I do when working out, sometimes you’re going to end up injured (or at least incredibly sore). I run three days a week, as well as use the elliptical and lift weights four days a week. I don’t often ‘take it easy’ during a workout, and while my schedule has produced some pleasing results over the past year, it also sometimes leaves me tired, sore, and just plain worn out. To help me maintain this schedule, I rely on a few key resources.

Massage

Before I started getting regular massages, I couldn’t understand why anyone would pay someone to rub their shoulders. Really… isn’t this the job of my significant other? How much better could it be to pay someone to do this for me? Well, now that I get regular massages, I can answer with a firm “it’s amazing”. My husband might give good shoulder rubs, but a good massage therapist can do so much more. Unfortunately I can’t tell you how to find a good therapist. The answer is different for everyone. After moving three years ago, I spent almost two years trying out various therapists before I found one who was perfect for me. You need to make sure, above all, that your therapist listens to you. A therapist who performs deep tissue when you really wanted a light touch isn’t going to do you any good whatsoever. Once you do find a therapist, make sure that you have a dialog with them about what is going on with your body each time you visit.

Acupuncture

Every few months, I voluntarily let someone poke me with needles. I used to be a skeptic, but then I started having serious issues bending my right knee. Despite cutting out almost all exercise for two months, I could still barely bend it. So I took a chance on acupuncture. Within two sessions, all of my knee pain was gone. Since then I’ve had acupuncture appointments for stress, sinus issues, and various aches and pains. I find that if I have my right knee treated every two or three months, I have almost no pain. As with massage therapists, the choice of an acupuncturist is also very personal. I prefer a therapist who explains what she is doing as she is doing it. The acupuncturist I see currently has a gentle touch, repeatedly asks if I am comfortable with each needle, and checks to see if I can handle more (there is a limit to the number of needles you should have in any one session). It always baffles me when I go to her with one problem and she immediately asks if I have a different (related) problem. The answer is almost always yes. For example, did you know that when your knee is sore there is usually a corresponding sore spot on your elbow? The human body works in mysterious ways.

Physical Therapy

Sometimes massage and acupuncture aren’t enough. After a few months of hip pain that wasn’t improving, I finally admitted I needed help and went to see a physical therapist. I used to believe that physical therapy was for those with what I thought of as ‘actual injuries’ - people recovering from surgery or an auto accident, or a traumatic fall. I never considered that some low level annoying hip pain could benefit from physical therapy. As it turns out, I was wrong. My hips are very slightly uneven, causing me to stride a bit awkwardly. It took two months, but my hip pain is gone. My therapist makes me work hard, and some of the work is painful. However, a good physical therapist will help you differentiate between ‘good pain’ and ‘bad pain’. After my hip improved, I started working with the physical therapist on my running stride. She’s helped me come up with a training plan that takes into account my particular weaknesses (my hips will never be perfectly level) and I check in with her every few months just to make sure I’m maintaining my strength and keeping up with my exercises.