So disappointed, spoke to a Physiotherapist (on the phone) after a self referral. No running for 6-8 weeks told me about me some exercises to do. Did 2 squats (instead of 10) and 1 lunge (which hurt immediately) and could barely walk yesterday after.
So fed up and worried I will lose motivation.
I did expect to actually see someone. I also teach, so even when I’m not active I cover around 150 miles a month on my feet. Don’t think I can afford to go private but don’t think I can afford not too either.
Running (trying to) was making me feel a bit fabulous.
Sorry for moody post feeling a bit sorry for myself.
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HappyNoodle
Graduate10
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Hello not so HappyNoodle. I'm in a similar boat so understand. I tried to make a docs appointment and it was going to take a week. Thought swollen ankle would be better by then so didn't make the appointment. It's 2 weeks since I've done a run. I feel like life is on hold. I'm sitting eating ice-cream!
How about walking? Are you allowed to walk and can you?? Weightloss wise, walking is almost as good as running , except for that you need to do it for a bit longer. The amount of energy needed to move an object from point A to point B is almost the same at any pace ( the big difference between the two is the time needed for each)
I have to be honest, I had a fairly negative experience with the NHS physio self referral scheme. I love the NHS and can't imagine my life without it, I do understand that they're strapped for people and funding right now but turning people away that ask for help with specific issues is really not fair. I too went through their triage process and they coolly informed me the pain wasn't at all serious because I was under 50 (?!), they had decided I didn't need to see someone and they'd email me some exercises to do instead. I'm afraid I said no—having tried all the standard exercises to no avail, hence phoning in the first place—I'd like to be put on the waiting list. They eventually conceded. It might not be very speedy, and you might not take priority, but you're as entitled to see a physio as anyone else. During the waiting list time you may find the exercises help, or the pain eases of its own accord—and if so that's brilliant, you can take yourself off the list. If it doesn't then you were right to insist. Eventually I did go privately, and would recommend it if you're in a position to do so for speed if nothing else, but if you are in pain and believe you need tailored advice rather than a fob-off generic guide then I think you are entitled to ask again, or to ask a gp to refer you.
Thank you, I do love the NHS and have rarely been disappointed with the service provided but this was something else. She didn’t address the fact I get neck pain too at all. I would have thought she would need to see how I run to tell me what I am doing right/wrong etc.
Oh HappyNoodle that's gutting for you. But don't lose heart we are all here to help keep you motivated and will help shove you back on the band wagon when you are fit again.
Agree with skqr. If the exercises they gave you over the phone are causing pain then they are not helping. Tell them and ask to see someone in person. If you can do try and see one privately. It could be the best £40 you spend.
Thank you, I’ll try them again. I wish it were £40 it’s around £150 I’m in central London and they know how to fleece you. Or, I don’t know how to look properly.
For an initial appointment it shouldn't be anywhere near that much. Mine was £65, though done through insurance so I didn't have as many choices of practitioner and ended up with nuffield. If you have lots of subsequent sessions it can add up, but you may not need them.
How frustrating.😫🙁 I am a little surprised that you were 'diagnosed' and given exercises over the phone! Lunges and squats are pretty 'hardcore' exercises to be given if you are experiencing knee pain. If you can in any way afford it, I would try and find a good private physio or sports physio. They are worth their weight in gold. Injury is tough and I know how it feels when you can't run for an extended period (I have had months out in the past)...but we come back and running is still there waiting! Good luck .🙂
So sorry to hear that you have been given exercises to do without even seeing someone HappyNodle. Have you seen a doctor? I was given a recommendation to a private physiotherapist by my local running shop and I thought it was well worth £40 to see someone quickly, but I appreciate that not everyone can do that. I do hope they the pain subsides soon .
Thank you. Where do you guys find a Physiotherapist for £40? I googled and came up with £150. My daughter has physio needs and I wanted her to be seen more than every six months.
I’m in Portsmouth and recommendation was from my independent running shop, but I was also referred to them by benenden health care before running. Some good gyms also have a sports physio using their space. I’d say don’t google but speak to people. Good luck
Not sure how much they charge in your area but if you find a good one there fab (at least for me) Hope your up & running soon. Speedy recovery. Just a thought, sports therapist can sometimes be associated with clubs too.
Oh dear HappyNoodle sorry to hear this; its understandable that you're feeling disappointed and frustrated ~ but this is certainly the place to come for the highs and the lows 😊 I hope the weeks go quickly for you; it's unlikely that you'll lose motivation~but can understand your fear around that.... keep making your presence on here to stay involved, and we'll all be here to support you during and after 😊
I had a good experience with my NHS physio who gave me a good set of exercises. They pretty much matched the NHS knee exercises but, they were introduced gradually. Initially it was leg raises, and gently strength exercises.
You may be able to seek a second opinion and see your GP
No worries, I got my physio appointment through my GP... took two appointments with two different GPs - each with different diagnosis but I got there in the end
You poor thing, that sounds really rough and I'm not suprised you feel so despondent!
I'm also recovering from knee pain, saw a private physio last week, £49 for a 3p minute session. Fortunately he told me I could keep running but reduce my distance and he examined my knee and showed me how to do exercises. Just over a week later and there's a big improvement. Best of luck and wishing you a fast recovery.
I am going to have to do some more research on physio’s it seems most are around £50 if I travel out of Westminster maybe it will be cheaper. Thank you and good luck with your knees too.
It might be worth looking at the British School of Osteopathy (think it is now called University of Osteopathy). You are seen by a student working under supervision but the cost is much reduced. Haven't used them myself but they used to come and do sessions where I worked and we sent them all sorts of people and had positive feedback. So just a thought. It is in Borough.
Sorry to read of your woes. I went through something similar (though with calves and hamstrings, not knees) starting just under a year ago - stopped running altogether for 2 months (though did a fair amount of walking and cycling). It's a sample size of one I know, but for me, finding someone with professional experience of treating runners made a difference. I had 4 sessions with a private physio (£40/hr - I'm in East London, by the way) who didn't help much, then had 9 sessions (starting in Feb, last one in June) with a private sports massage therapist (£60/hr, found via a local facebook 'recommends' page) who was great, and gave lots of advice on stretching, strengthening, warm-ups, foam rolling, along with some ideas about gait. I've been more-or-less symptom-free for a couple of months and my running is back close to where I want it to be. One thing that helped me with motivation (and cost!) was to take a long view: telling myself that if I can get things sorted now, then I have a better chance of good running for years to come. Good luck with it. You can read more about my postgraduate experience in a recent post of mine here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...
Thank you, that’s brilliant I’m glad you are on the up and up! I guess two months added to my already 45years as a non runner is not so bad.
How very frustrating... if you can go private to sports physio...they may still not give you good news but will have a better understanding of the Injury and the root cause behind it ... unfortunately patience is going to be required either way.
Sorry to hear about your injury, but yes, you've been ripped off there, it makes me angry to know about good people on here getting fleeced! My local physio charges about the same as Sandraj39 said. Take care doing those excercises and if still in pain don't do them yet.. hope you are better soon..
Thank you everyone you are all amazing. My GP said to call the physio back and I should get to see someone. As well as letting me know the one at the surgery is £90 still a lot so I won’t be visiting them. I’ll see about the nhs one and if they are still not very helpful I’ll try alternative routes.
You have all picked me up 🎉😍 I can get through this and keep on 🏃🏻♀️
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