This week I started phase 143 of my Achilles rehab. Maybe I’m exaggerating, but I have been dealing with a bum ankle for most of 2021. Will shockwave therapy for my Achilles finally do the trick? I sure hope so.
True story!
I was so grateful to be able to run injury-free throughout 2020. Maybe I overdid it, but it was worth it to be able to start my day with a few Scooby miles before coping with the stress of the lock-down and 2020 election. That said, I think I should be done paying for that by now.
Shockwave Therapy For My Achilles
After my second 2 week running hiatus of the summer, I started running last week—short runs on alternate days, with lots of stretching and icing. Since that was going okay, I increased my mileage this week, from 2-ish mile runs to 3-ish mile runs, trying to take mental notes for my podiatrist appointment on Thursday.
When he asked how it was going, it was hard to answer. During a run, sometimes I felt “something,” sometimes I felt nothing at all, and sometimes it hurt a little. The best news was the pain wasn’t lingering, although deep stretching still feels uncomfortable and my left Achilles is still much tighter than my right.
After assessing me, he reviewed the options—more stretching, shockwave therapy, PRP—and I told him I was ready to try shockwave therapy for my Achilles. He went over the course of therapy (4 treatments 4-7 days apart), showed me the instrument, and explained that each treatment would take about 5 minutes. Maybe because the device looks sort of like a sonogram wand, or because I had focused on the “noninvasive” nature of the treatment and the lack of a post-treatment protocol, but I didn’t expect it to feel like much of anything.
Holy F*cking Moly was I wrong
It felt like a jackhammer on my ankle.
On the most tender spots, it felt like bloody murder.
That only lasted a few seconds at a time, but there are a lot of seconds in 5 minutes!
Luckily, either I got used to it or my body blocked off those nerve cells, because it got more tolerable. When he was done, I was able to walk out of the office normally, and get on with my day—after treating myself to Starbucks on the way home. 🙂
It’s not necessarily supposed to help right away—he says most patients see results 1-2 weeks after their last treatment—but I do feel like it’s made a difference. My Achilles doesn’t feel as tight and I feel it less when I run. I’m bracing myself for my next appointment this week, and keeping my fingers crossed.
Weekly Run Down
After the remains of Hurricane Ida came through our weather has been a-m-a-z-i-n-g. That made running outside very tempting! Also, Peloton introduced three new running instructors this week, which made even the treadmill tempting.
Monday: Lower Body Strength + 20 min Peloton Ride + 20 min Tread
In the evening I hopped on the tread for Kirsten Ferguson’s premiere class. I forgot how hard a 20 min tread class can be—and I even ignored the incline cuing.
Tuesday: 3.25 Scooby Miles + Full Body Strength
I’m trying to wait until it’s nearly light to go running, so I did 40 min of strength before taking Scooby out—he was so patient!
Wednesday: Full body strength + 30 min Peloton Ride
On the days I don’t run, I take Scooby out first. These days it’s still dark when we get back.
Thursday: 3.45 Scooby Miles + Peloton core, yoga, light weights arm
This was the day the weather broke—it was in the mid 60s!
Caught in the headlights of our newspaper delivery man!
Friday: 3.45 Scooby Miles + Upper Body Strength
I felt so good after my treatment, and the weather was still awesome, I couldn’t resist running. I tried a class with another new instructor—Marcel Dinkins.
Saturday: Conte’s Hill Ride
I did not forget my shoes, but someone else forgot their helmet!
Sunday: 3.6 Scooby Miles + Bike Ride
35 min isan’t all day, but it felt good.
And a bike ride later!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up.
Is your schedule changing after Labor Day?
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Glad to hear that you feel shockwave therapy is helping. The prolo also supposedly takes about 2 weeks for full effect but I always felt it sooner. I hope this does the trick for you! Keep us posted
Oh, interesting. All these treatments are fascinating!
I this helps your Achilles. Nagging pain is the worst. I had it with my foot for over a year. It’s better. I think. Knock on wood.
Enjoy your bike ride.
It’s raining up here.
Thanks. I’m going to be optimistic. 🙂
We got caught in some drizzle on the way home, but luckily the real rain held off.
My doctor always said it’s a good sign if you can feel the shockwaves!
It’s nice to have that relaxed feeling after the session. I’m sure this will help you.
Thanks, I hope you’re right!
I had to laugh (in a supportive way) when you said you were bracing yourself for your next treatment. My back has been feeling cranky this week…but I’ve been in the car so much (three drives, each upwards of five hours…with another on deck this morning). I’m thinking i may need to see the chiro again, and I know what’s gonna happen there LOL
Ah, but you know the relief that will come after! That’s a lot of time in the car!
Ahhhh yes. It’s painful, all right. I had two round of shockwave for my PF, and imagine it on and around a heel spur. I really think this is one of those situations where “No pain, no gain” really applies. It sounds like things are feeling pretty good- I have a feeling this is going to work for you. Glad you’re getting out there for some Scooby miles!
Oh, I hope you’re right! Yes, the whole theory is to traumatize the area to try to kick the healing process into gear, so no pain no gain is fitting.
I hope you finally get relief with the new treatment! My Achilles seems 99%, but now there’s the pain on top of the other foot. It’s always something. Much better today though — I probably did run too long after not running much the week before.
Plenty of activity, as usual Coco. Despite not being able to run or run long you’ve kept really active! Hopefully you’ll be racing before you know it!
I haven’t mentally canceled my November races yet, but I’m preparing myself.
I’m still limiting my time in the stretching boot because it bothers my toes (which confused the Dr.) and I don’t want to trade one lingering issue for another.
It always seems like it’s always something. 😔
Ouch! I had shockwave for PF, twice. It was really effective. I hope the same for you!
Glad to hear it worked for that too!
I’m probably repeating myself, but I think I did 3-4 shockwave treatments on my achilles last summer and I honestly believe it works miracles. But YES- SO painful. But then you sort of become a little numb to the pain as you do it, until they move it slightly and then it hurts like heck again. They cranked up the intensity for me each time I did it so it never got easier, but I strongly believe in it. Good luck!
I do remember your experience. As I was practicing my deep breathing, I was trying to remember if you’d warned me! I did notice the numb feeling mid-process. I was really so surprised at first though.
Yikes! The shockwave therapy sounds intense, but hopefully it will yield great results. I know you have been dealing with this issue for so long and I really hope this is the treatment that gives you relief.
I’ve enjoyed the new Peloton treadmill instructors. I think they all bring something unique to the tread.
I haven’t tried Daniel yet, although I listened to his pre-show live and then deleted the class from my profile. I might try a strength class this week.
I really hope this shockwave therapy pays off for you! Good luck with this week’s appointment. I’m heading to the orthopedist and curious to see what my options are going to be for my hip.
I hope you get good news from your hip! I really do think it’s helping — I just hope it helps enough.
Wow, shockwave therapy sounds so interesting. Hopefully it continues to work – and be a little less painful! Good luck!
Wow, I can’t believe how painful the treatment was! At least it was pretty short. Glad it seems to be helping a bit and hopefully it will continue to improve!
I haven’t had shockwave therapy before, but I did stop going to PT because the manipulations that were done on me hurt too much! I figured it wasn’t really helping my pain that much so I stopped. I just dreaded going in for the appointments! I hope your treatment helps you out!
Ouch! Shockwave therapy sounds painful but also sounds like it has helped. Curious to see how it will work out long-term.
Love your Tuesday shorts.
I hear you on a lot of seconds in 5m, but glad yo’ure feeling some relief.
I’ve done Marcel and Daniel’s stretched but haven’t done their runs yet
I hope the shockwave therapy yields great results for you!
My schedule changed in early August when A went back to school. It’s weird because he gets out of (and goes to) school so early (leaves at 6:45 and home by 2