Now what??

[Ajs07]

Just been to see sports massage about 1. My back pain despite seeing a chiropractor for last 2 years, wanted a second opinion and 2. New heel pain since upping running distance. Outcome- it’s not my back as such, it’s my extreme flat feet and misaligned pelvis. Action-

No running or jumping for at least 2-4 wks, no shop bought inserts, go bare feet as much as possible,no support belt (which chiropractor told I need to wear every day) , daily exercises to be done at least twice a day, and special inserts made specifically for my flat feet with a proper gait analysis for running trainers . I should see improvement as quick as 1 wk! My only concern is going without my support belt as I really do not want to have bad back like before, I’m really unsure and am quite worried. Should have guessed one would say different to the other 🤦‍♀️

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I think it was a sports physiotherapist you went to see, not a masseur?

What reason was given for ditching the support belt?

[Ajs07 in reply to roseabi]

Oh, lol, he is a sports something. He says that the belt is not doing anything to help my back as I’m constantly wearing it , my back muscles cannot strengthen and therefore the back muscles are weakened plus he thinks that it’s my feet that are causing the problem not my actual back . I’m totally confused and gutted that it will now cost another £200 for proper inserts and probably new running trainers. I just seem to be throwing money at getting my back sorted and not getting anywhere!!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Ajs07]

Well, you have said that after two years of wearing the brace you still have a bad back, so maybe it would be worth trying life without it for a while? I'd give the exercises a go too, and see what happens. I don't know what the exercises are, but I suspect that strengthening the feet and pelvis could be beneficial. Keep your £200 for the time being!

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Sorry to hear about your back troubles. 1 week seems really quick, but I am no expert! Hope the exercises work for you just the same.

[Ajs07 in reply to Decker]

I’ve been having back problems for years which has never fully resolved so thought I would get a second opinion, told today that it’s a foot problem more than back problem. The question is do I listen to chiropractor whom I’ve been seeing once a week for few years and still not right or do I take everything that I was told today on board and go with that? I am 43 yrs old and cannot turn over in bed at night without sitting up to turn due to back pain and I am fed up with it. Running helps but am getting pain in heel which is getting worse with each run apparently caused by wrong inserts and possibly trainers due to flat feet. Sorry for my grumble Decker but I’m baffled, custom inserts and proper gait analysis recommended but at a price, I just seem to be handing over money all the time and not getting anywhere . X

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Ajs07]

I totally sympathize and would be just as frustrated were it me. I had minor back pain (from a fall I took as a teen) for many years and still only usually sleep on one side because of it. I hardly notice any more but it is still there. Yours sounds much more pronounced. I hope you manage to sort it soon.

[Eatcakeandrun Marathon in reply to Ajs07]

I am so sorry to hear of your problem. Miserable to have such a longstanding problem. Do you live in the uk? Why not ask your GP for a referral to your local NHS podiatry service? I wouldn't be handing over £200 unless you are absolutely certain. 1 week seems far too short a time to see an improvement for a chronic problem, so I would be a bit sceptical...

I hope you get some proper answers soon. Good luck!

[ancientrunner Half Marathon]

No way an expert and don't know anything about your condition but I think there could be a line of thought that if the belt is supporting your back muscles all the time the muscles themselves will never strengthen. It may be worth trying without and the exercises to start with. Good luck

[C3PO Marathon]

No advice, but good wishes!

[Ajs07 in reply to C3PO]

Thank you x

[Rignold]

As you correctly surmise there is likely to be a difference of oponion between a sports physiotherapist and a chiropractor. Physiotherapists are trained medical professionals with a degree in an actual medical science, chiropractors are the semi respectable end of quackery. Even when chiropractic methids have some value (ie for back pain, rather than 'curing cancer and blindness') they are generally reliant on continued treatment, rather like how Slimming World works as long as you keep going and paying every week.

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

Unless you were advised otherwise doing more walking could help by strengthening muscles without the impact of running.