Graston

After the Cherry Blossom, driven by redemption, I took off on Monday and returned to the track to jump in with the PXC's girls' workout.  Bad idea. My reoccurring hamstring cramp flared up again on the second in-out 200, just as it had done a few weeks ago.  I was annoyed because I thought my leg had felt fine and frustrated because I probably should have been smarter and just done a regular run, not a workout, that day.  I proceeded to do a 2-mile cooldown with the girls and called it a light day.

When I get hurt, I often like to convince myself that I am not, or that I can get "over it," by forcing my body through even more than I would normally do.  On Wednesday, I squeezed in an 8-mile run at Westbury, characterized by rolling paved hills, swimming during Common Hour with the girls, and a painful 5 miles on the Alter-G at ReddyCare at 60% of my body weight.  By this point, my hamstring was in a tight pinch, and my right calf was pissed at me for allowing it to take the brunt of my force during all of these runs for the day.

I gave in, and asked ReddyCare for some help: Physical Therapy. 

The next day I went in for some PT; they assigned me to Yoshei, the Columbia graduate and semi-pro golfer, certified in Active-Release Therapy (ART) and the Graston technique.  After some biomechanical tests, Yoshei whipped out some metal tools and went to town on my leg, warning me I might have some bruising. 

Since Rob and I had carpooled out to Nassau (he had to do a recruit signing at Post), I figured I could walk to find food and stall for time post-therapy.  A four-miles walk later, I ended up in Marshall's and found myself a Dunkin' Donuts (got pretty pillows for our bedroom and an egg n' cheese on a croissant).  3.5 HOURS later, Rob picked me up.  When I returned home, I saw some bruises.

So for the past month, I have been getting Graston on my leg once a week. I felt immediate improvements and only had to "take it easy" on days that I get the treatment because Yoshei beats me up with his tools.  The bruises on my leg are scary.  They run from my butt to my knee and are wide along the entire width of the muscle.  Because the bruises seem to be lasting over a week, Yoshei now puts K-tape on them to increase the blood circulation and heal a little faster, just so we can do more Graston quicker haha. 

I'm a fan, except for day one of therapy.  I feel like I got beat up and am somewhat exhausted from being over sensitive.  I have to be careful how I sit, including using the bathroom (sorry for the visual), because the backside of my legs are in bad shape.  But, after a day, things feel great, and I am sure that in the long run this is going to stop a lot of my reoccurring issues that I never took care of years ago.

Just yesterday I asked Yoshei more about the technique.  Since I have a pretty good understanding of biomechanics and the way PT works, I can hold my own during the conversation.  Basically, Graston aggravates the soft tissue and the fascia of the muscle, inducing inflammation and increased blood circulation in the area, which promotes healing.  The tools he uses serve as basically stethoscopes, to enhance his understanding of what is happening under the skin.  He can find the worst spots as he drags the metal over the muscle and he (and I) feel a speed-bump affect (similar to the feeling/sound when you drive over the side bumps on major highways to make sure you know you are off the road).  I am a trooper, but I don't look so trooper-ish getting in and out of the high-up jeeps in my family. 

In the end, I am a fan of all possibilities to help me improve.  All of ReddyCare's therapists comment on what good shape I am in, how balanced my muscles are, and how strong/big my muscles are, so it's nice to know.  I also like that I feel better and ready to race again.  The bruises make me more intimidating anyway!

Amy Yoder Begley's (10K Olympian) Bruises after Graston on her Calf