Physio visit --> cat-assisted stretches & vicarious running

[Eiralas]

I finally went to see the physiotherapist about the annoying discomfort/pain that I'd been experiencing in my right leg, and now left knee. Turns out the root of the problem is likely sciatica and all the rest of the aches are stemming from that. That makes me feel old - sciatica is something great aunts experience, surely?!

So my lower back has duly been prodded and poked to try to loosen it up, and I have been sent away with stretches and excercises to complete every 2-3 hours. They will take some explaining to my office-mate. Also my cat, who tried to 'help' with my stretches earlier. She was most indignant when I tried to explain that a cat on the small of my back mid-stretch was probably not part of the prescribed exercise.

And no running allowed , so vicarious running for me for at least a couple of weeks - please keep posting guys! I'm going to need to imagine I'm running along with you until I can get out there again myself...

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Oh Eiralas, sorry to hear that! As I’ve heard many say, it’s a change for life and you’re a graduate! 😁😁 That’s amazing! So, you’ll be back out there as soon as you’ve have given yourself time to heal. I hope you will be feeling less pain soon. Much better to have a great feeling after a run! 🤗❤️

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you for your kind words Fabulous! Frustrating as it is, it's better to get it sorted out so hopefully I can have pain-free runs in future. I can't wait to experience that I'm so looking forward to reading your posts in the next few weeks as they're overflowing with the fabulousness of running, and I feel like I get a little bit of the running boost just from reading them x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

The runs and we will still be here.... exercise well and heal soon You will soon CAT-ch up

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Haha! Thanks Oldfloss, what a purr-fect response I'm counting on that - and will just have to soak up all the running goodness I can from everyone else's posts. My beloved cat is probably secretly pleased I'm back on the couch so she has more opportunity to sit on me!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate]

Aw! I am so sorry to hear this Eiralas. Aw! I am quite sure ic time was not your plan. I do hope that the exercises work well. Do you have a return visit to the physiological and have you been given any kind of time scale. I am already looking forward to your first run post ic. 🐈

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Looks like I did my usual trick of replying in the wrong place - see below...

[over61andstilltrying Graduate in reply to Eiralas]

Ah! I've done that a few times too! I shall have to look up sciatica to have a better idea. At least the cat will have will have more opportunities to sit on you. I certainly hope the exercises work well and look forward to hearing how you get on at your second appointment. 🌺🌸🌼 Here's a bunch of flowers for you.

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Cheers - I hope so too! Was tricky trying to do them at work today though. Many thanks for the lovely flowers - they've cheered me up no end

[Eiralas Graduate]

I have to go back a week today for more poking and prodding, and a check on progress. I'll have to make sure I do these exercises religiously. I was stretching my legs out really carefully after each run, but never occurred to me to stretch my back also - doh! To be fair, this issue was probably there pre-running but I hadn't really registered it until it started to impinge on my runs. He said at least two weeks if all goes well, but possibly longer depending on how I respond. In the meantime, I'm just going to have to get my running fix from here - so please keep posting about your runs, I'll be lapping them up

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

So sorry Eiralas! You will be back up and running in no time, I’m sure. In the mean time I’m also sure your cat will be very pleased you are at home more! Take care. Get better soon! Lots of virtual hugs to you! 😊

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to _SimonT_]

Aw thanks Simon! Hugs gratefully received Looking forward to reading about your super slow runs in the meantime

[TailChaser Graduate]

Hi Eiralas, I can definitely empathise with you on that one - and I’m not a great aunt either! Before I ran I had sciatica in my left leg, I now get it in my right leg!

Patience is a difficult thing to find when you just want to get out there but you really don’t want to irritate your lower back, it can have a foul temper. I’m sure the exercises do the job. If it’s any help, I’ve found that a little break gives you a real sense of purpose and the runs come more easily, you just have to remember not to overdo it (which is much easier said than done 😂).

Take care 🤗

[Eiralas Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

Oh I'm sorry to hear you have this too - and how annoying that it changed legs instead of just going away!

Thanks for the advice - very sound. It's a bit like the whole C25K experience- going slower, taking longer, gets you there quicker in the end...