Sunday, July 25, 2010

Physical Therapy: A Cyclist's Best Friend

Wiki ankle diagram.

So, no more shin pain after yesterday's 200k brevet (post forthcoming)! Could be that it was half the elevation of the Mt. Rainier Sunrise Climb. But I think it is mainly because of my physical therapy session this week.

Here is how Dartre's and my PT, Betsy, describes what she did:

I did a basic subtalar manipulation (traction).


Sometimes that joint can get slightly off causing there to be decreased dorsiflexion range of motion which causes the anterior tibialis and or posterior tibialis muscles to overwork. It often makes the ankle feel stiff and we will try to get motion wherever we can in the rest of the foot/leg complex.

All I know is I'm happily pain free. She described it to me at the time as there are some techniques that you know whether they work immediately. This, a rapid tug on my ankle on the exhale of a deep breath, seemed to work right away though I was less sure due to the residual inflammation.

Yippee, is what I say!

Keep it tugged,

CurioRando