My symptoms: I can run about two miles pain free, and then discomfort begins. If I push through the discomfort, the hamstring will strain and will hurt for about week. If I stop and walk before it strains, the hamstring feels sore for about a day, and then I'm pain free again. I usually don't run for a week, even though I may be pain free, but the cycle repeats.
Yesterday, my physical therapist, Justin Kiger at Mountain River Physical Therapy, tried an alternative treatment--acupuncture therapy. Basically, Justin turned me into a pin cushion or perhaps a voodoo doll. He inserted a series of needles from my lower back, into my buttocks, hamstring and calf. I must confess, this was not a painless procedure. However, I endured it and didn't cry like a baby. It was more like a steady whimper. He hopes to accelerate healing and determine whether the source of the problem is more neurological or muscular. I've had sciatica problems in the past.
I limped around the rest of the day, but Justin warned me I'd have some muscle pain from the invasive needles. Today I feel fine. My hamstring is still a little tight from yesterday's two-mile easy run, but not bad. He wants me try another easy run on Saturday to see if there is any improvement. I'll probably go through another round of acupuncture therapy on Tuesday. I'll update the blog then to let you know what happens.
Here's an article proclaiming the effectiveness of acupuncture on hamstring injuries:
http://momentummedia.uberflip.com/i/397072/15?referer=45683aa20c295ce9ecaccf337983d9c6
Hopefully, this needling will do the trick. If not, I might have to make an appointment with a psychoanalyst or maybe a whole team of psychologists.
Happy running,
Joe C. Ellis
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