I’m a non-competitive runner, with a history of Achilles tendonitis in both legs. As I run all year, I was discouraged to have a re-occurrence just a month before the 2006 15K Utica Boilermaker, which I have run consecutively for 15 years. This particular injury makes walking painful and running impossible. Previously, I had taken the conventional route of rest, ice, electronic stimulation, ibuprofen and physical therapy. Unfortunately, the recovery period lasted almost 3 months.
Most recently, I treated myself with rest, ice and an herbal anti-inflammatory, with a limited degree of relief. Running, however, was out of the question. I had heard of acupuncture, and although I was skeptical, I was also desperate. My first session consisted of a thorough review of my medical history and physical condition. It was a soothing and relaxing experience and amazingly, I felt an immediate improvement. I continued my own self-treatment and followed up with a second acupuncture appointment one week later. After this second session, I felt ready to begin running again. I began to slowly build my running mileage and completed the race with absolutely no calf pain that day or thereafter.
All the above treatments combined may have contributed to a speedy recovery period, but based on past experience with this injury, I would highly recommend acupuncture.
Joyce…. Thank you
Marianne, Sauquoit, NY
