Getting there!!!

[Lizzie_NewStart]

I suppose being told you cant do something makes you want to do it even more. Everywhere I look there are people running but I have been told to hold off for a little longer. Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be able to start up the C25K app again.

I sprained my ankle a while back (apparently doing a good job of it too!!) which put pay to my aim of completing the C25K by my 40th. The doc at the hospital only told me to use ice to reduce the swelling, rest and elevate it and then apply some support once the swelling had gone down. I was given a couple of crutches and sent on my way.

I would like to thank nowster and swim63 for their advice regarding physio in a reply to my last post. Following that I made an appointment to see my GP who was surprised that the hospital had not said anything about it. I was given a number to ring to book an appointment with an NHS physio. Out of curiosity, I Googled "Physio treatment for a sprained ankle" and managed to find several sites giving much the same set of exercises so I knew what to expect. Two days of almost constant ringing before I got through only to be told there is an 8 week waiting list for an appointment. I booked, but then thought of trying private. I don't know what I was expecting, but an initial consultation was going to set me back £120, then £80 a session after. When I asked how many sessions I would need, I was told possibly 2 or 3 per week for the first couple of weeks then see how it goes. I was looking at a minimum of £500. I know you cant put a price on your health but that seemed a lot.

Sod it, Google would have to do for now!!

I followed the recommendations given religiously and the exercises seemed to get easier quite quickly. My new man friend was talking with his ex-wife who said her cousins wife is training to be a physio and they arranged for me to have a free session as part of her training. Apparently I have done everything right and she thinks that as I am now walking my dog for quite a distance and pain free that I could probably start my running in October. Yipee!!

[nowster Graduate]

Wow! Physios are expensive where you are.

It was back in 2020/2021, but my local chain (in North Manchester) had sports physio sessions at roughly £50 for the first, then £45 for subsequent ones. I only needed two appointments for my badly sprained ankle, a week apart.

However, I've just done some checks and that firm went into liquidation last summer, with their sites being bought by other firms. 😟

Your ankle is going to get better anyway during that 8 weeks wait for NHS services.

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to nowster]

After my call with the physio I Googled the "cost of a physio" and the site I saw seemed to put the price I was given as average. (central-health.com/blog/how...

What I did not spot when I read it was that they are the costs in London (I did not put London in my search!!). I had a look at other sites and they suggest the average is a lot less for my area. I think I must have picked an expensive one to call. Even so, getting it for free was a bonus, particularly as I had done everything I should have anyway and would therefore have wasted my money.

Thanks again for your advice.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Wow, well done for doing everything right,

[MissUnderstanding Administrator]

Not being able to run when you want to is the worst! So glad you’re making progress.

You might have been unlucky with that particular physio-they do vary. I saw one privately for £75 initial consultation which included an exercise regime to follow. How often I went back was totally up to me and he would have worked with that. It’s great you’ve got that family link to someone with training.

Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. Update (or have a moan!) any time you want-loads of have been where you are and can relate and send encouragement/sympathy.

[Carners1 Graduate]

I did my ankle last Christmas, just after graduating 🙄 Those first few runs are going to feel weird, because your ankle is going to feel weak. All I can suggest is investing in a good ankle support and just taking it slowly. Any pain or swelling stop and wait a bit longer before running again.

[Lizzie_NewStart Graduate in reply to Carners1]

I have bough an ankle support and have found it good as I am walking my dog again. I don't get any pain when walking, just a bit of an ache later.