#$%#$%^$# injuries!!

I've really been fighting some physical discomfort lately, and it seems like once I take the time to take care of it something else starts to hurt! I was having pain in my chest and back muscles - I saw Angie and my chrio who both helped put things back to rights.

For the past week my hamstrings have been TIGHT and my bad knee (right knee) has been starting feeling 'wrong'. To the point of me stopping exercising, but I've been stretching, heating, drinking tons of water, and using Epsom salts. Yesterday my IT band started aching and my knee, yes that bad right one, was hurting. today I did a little research and here's what I found out:

What Causes Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

There are two main causes of knee pain associated with iliotibial band syndrome. The first is "overload" and the second is "biomechanical errors."

Overload is common with sports that require a lot of running or weight bearing activity. This is why ITB is commonly a runner's injury. When the tensor fasciae latae muscle and iliotibial band become fatigued and overloaded, they lose their ability to adequately stabilize the entire leg. This in-turn places stress on the knee joint, which results in pain and damage to the structures that make up the knee joint.

(source: http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/knee-pain.php)

I think my problem isn't the running, however it might have been the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back'. I think its just overuse and the extra weights from kettlebells. This means that I'm going to have to slow things down for a little while and see if I can't make things better.

I stayed away from the studio this weekend thinking that if I rested it I'd be up and at it on Monday. I'm afraid that might not be the case. I did take the kids on a nice, long bike ride - although I don't think that really made anything worse. The site I listed above is a great source of information, check it out.

Here's what I made to cause myself LOADS of pain help:

So, the above is my rolling pin, wrapped in a towel, that I will now 'roll' my body up in an effort to stretch the TIGHT IT band. Let me just say that while this really works, it REALLY HURTS too....to the point of screaming out loud.

Ok, now you see what I have to go and do...I'll check in tomorrow and fill ya' in!

Later!