Dry Needling

I was out on one of my regular five-mile routes about a month ago when I felt a small twinge in my left calf. This is the same calf that I hurt about ten years ago while trying to catch up on the training schedule, and the same one that nags from time to time.

So I noted it and kept on my way, just like we all do when we feel something. Only this time it actually flared up and forced me to walk the mile and a half home. It sure does suck being decked out in running gear while walking home and dragging a leg behind me.

As treatment, I tried stretching and rolling, even a little swimming and later on I would ice it (which felt like it was helping). Nothing really provided a solution. I'd go out a few times and it would act up after a mile or so. I actually ran a three on a treadmill at a resort in San Jose del Cabo and it never acted up. But that didn't last too long.

One day last week I finally broke down and went to the therapist-- our running shop has good synergy with these guys. As it turns out I sold a pair of shoes to the guy who worked on me. I was embarrassed since he recognized me first.

Anyhow, I had a pretty big knot in my left calf that required dry needling. Deep tissue massage would only solve the issue temporarily. So the guy sticks two needles in my leg that look like meat thermometers. My calf immediately starts seizing up, as though I was flexing my calf muscle repeatedly. It even felt a little like a cramp. Then he hooked me up to the electrodes to get the knot out. I was afraid to look behind me-- I didn't want to inadvertently move things around that were already inside me, and I certainly didn't want to freak out when I saw needles.

This went on for about 10 minutes, after which time I went to work my shift at the store, dragging one leg behind me the whole time. That went on for a few days, but it felt progressively better as the weekend wore on.

Tuesday I got the green light to go run again. Talk about hearing music... But I also got some exercises to do on my own, since my hamstrings and glutes haven't done much-- only my calves. Calf stretches, knee extensions with a resistance band, and hamstring contractions with my heel on a door frame. This is all meant to get my legs more involved in the act of running.

My first run was this morning-- I'd forgotten about trying to run in the Georgia heat, even at 7:30 am. I didn't pay much attention to pace as much as I did my cadence. It seems I also strike the ground with a straight leg, so my instructions were to quicken my cadence to about 180 per minute, and concentrate on more of a midfoot landing. Now I always thought my cadence (usually around 176) was pretty good, but we'll make this adjustment since it should allow me to get back out there regularly.

The scale says my weight is up to 175, which means I've got some work to do. The wife and I have made a few lifestyle changes so hopefully that number will drop soon.