Argh and ouch - my week so far has involved a podiatrist and an osteopath.

[Honorsmum]

I'm falling apart - it's official.

I've done 4 runs since my 3 week break to wear in orthotics that are aiming to sort out my ridiculous feet. First run was good but left me with very achey muscles, due to the change in my foot position. 3rd run left me with a bruised big toe on top. 4th run involved a killer hill - perhaps not the best idea...I was dying at the top.

Saw the podiatrist to check how my orthotics were working. Mentioned the bruising and the feeling that things are still not right. She's at a loss as to how to progress, so has advised going to have my gait analysed and videoed, to see what exactly happens when I run.

Bit disappointing, because I feel I shouldn't run until I've done that, but I don't know when I will have the time - and money for new shoes - to go.

Yesterday, I went for an assessment with an osteopath because I've recently discovered I have hypermobility and have had terrible neck, shoulder and head pain.

She quickly informed me that my spine is out of alignment, my pelvis is lopsided, I am very tight and there are several other areas with problems - all of which are causing me pain.

What followed was a lot of deep tissue massage and manipulation (not all pleasant!) but at the end of the session, I was much more symmetrical and I could feel my sinuses clearing for the first time in months.

I got home and decided a warm bath might be a good idea for my poor muscles but once in, I began to feel almost sea sick. I got out and lay on my bed, feeling worse and worse - nauseous and in quite a lot of discomfort. Eventually, I was sick - I say sick, but nothing was coming up. This happened 3 times over 2 hours and then, almost as quickly as it started, it stopped.

Today, I feel...odd. Wiped out, a bit achey and generally like I've been run over. I was planning to run but delving around the internet, it doesn't seem like a good idea.

[iloverunning Graduate]

Hi Honorsmum, it sounds to me as though you've suffered a healing crisis (or Herxheimer reaction), very common after deep tissue manipulation and massage. I used to work in reflexology and many clients reported similar symptoms to yours after a treatment. I suffered it once after a head massage.

Symptoms are many but include dizzyness, nausea and vomiting, joint and muscle ache and feeling very wiped out. Drink plenty of water and rest as it's caused by the body trying to eliminate toxins from the body.

I hope that you soon feel better - the healing crisis is all about feeling worse before you begin to feel better and shouldn't last much longer!

[Honorsmum in reply to iloverunning]

Thank you so much for replying!

I was in a pretty bad way and quite worried that the osteopath had made things worse - or that I'd got a mystery bug. Never known anything quite like it - it was so sudden and rapid! Not nice at all.

I'm hoping it won't be as bad next time? By the sounds of it, I was quite knotted up so I'm assuming the reaction will lessen with each treatment?

I haven't moved from my bed today and am sipping on water.

[iloverunning Graduate in reply to Honorsmum]

You're doing the right thing resting and sipping spring water and yes, as the treatments progress the reaction will lessen - you may even find you don't react at all the next time round.

The healing crisis can be very rapid, once a client had to leap off the treatment couch to run to the loo and vomit - half way through our session!

Thankfully the healing crisis is a good sign that your body is beginning to heal and you'll soon feel so much better so keep it up.

Fingers crossed for youi x

[Honorsmum in reply to iloverunning]

Thank you. I will know what it is if it happens again!

I have Crohn's disease and have also been having a lot of sinus problems over the last few months - just generally feeling not well, no energy, stressed (even though I have very little to feel stressed about, other than the normal stresses all mums of young children have). Having Googled healing crisis, I can see now what's happened - this osteopath must be good because I've never had such a reaction with others I've seen.

Good to know it's a positive thing and that I should feel better for it

I've sent hubby out to buy Epsom salts and lavender to help things along.x

[iloverunning Graduate in reply to Honorsmum]

Hopefully your sinus problems should begin to improve along with the treatment you're having and even your Crohn's disease might benefit, I do hope so.

I'm glad that you googled it as you now know what you're dealing with! As you say your osteopath must be good! Onwards and upwards x

[iloverunning Graduate]

By the way if you're bored in bed you could always google hand reflexology for sinuses and there are some youtube demonstrations on there - worth a try!

[Honorsmum in reply to iloverunning]

I can breathe again and my headache has gone - amazing!x

[iloverunning Graduate in reply to Honorsmum]

Fab! Really pleased x

[mummystar Graduate]

Hi honorsmum - I'm hypermobile too and suffer mainly in my feet, shoulders and neck too. I'm trying pilates to bring some stability to my core and my physio keeps doing the deep muscle massage on my shoulder too. It does feel awful straight after the appointment but once that's died down a bit, it feels amazingly better. Take care, rest for a bit and listen to your body. You'll be back running soon, I'm sure ((hugs))

[Honorsmum in reply to mummystar]

Thank you.x

I used to do yoga and was pretty good at it - now I know why! (I only found out I was hypermobile a few weeks ago, on the back of my 7 year old having it). I did Pilates for a few months a couple of years ago but found it quite tough, so maybe I need to give it another go to help my core strength. My feet are so ridiculously bendy, especially my toes - my big toe has a mind of it's own when I run! I'm hopeful the right shoes and orthotics will go a long way to sorting it.x

[mummystar Graduate in reply to Honorsmum]

I did ballet and played double bass for 15+ years and that caused me some posture problems as well Honorsmum - it's no wonder we're so lopsided! It's worth checking out whether you have a local hypermobility support group, particularly if your little one has it too, as they have no end of support, forums and potentially resources to help make life that bit easier. Take care x

[Honorsmum in reply to mummystar]

It's official - being a musician is bad for your health! I'm married to a professional percussionist too...

I hadn't thought about support groups - thanks for the suggestion. My son has had physio and OT and needs orthotics for weak ankles and flat feet.

[OldNed Graduate]

I think you're doing the right thing in seeing an osteopath (or chiropractor). Your spine-out-of-alignment etc problems are exactly what my chiropractor diagnosed when he first saw me. I was walking with a stick at the time, because that was all I could do. He actually laughed when he saw me attempt to stand straight, so bent was my spine. Over a few sessions he straightened me out, quite literally, and I now go only once every 4 months for a maintenance tweak. And now I'm a runner. Stick with it, is my advice.

[Honorsmum in reply to OldNed]

Thanks OldNed - really good to hear how bad things were for you and how much better they are now ...and if I can run as well as you at the end of it, I'll be very happy!

30 years of playing the flute has caused me posture problems - when I was performing professionally, I might be sitting in rehearsals for 6 hours a day for days on end...it's no wonder I'm lopsided!

Unpleasant as it's been, I'm definitely going to carry on with the treatment - it's obviously going to fix a lot of issues.