I haven’t written much about my ITB/piriformis lately. I wish that were because it hasn’t been bothering me, but sadly that’s not the case. After months of do-it-yourself rehab with at-home strength workouts, my foam roller and one of my son’s lacrosse balls, I sought professional help and went to a chiropractor. She diagnosed various imbalances, treated me with chiropractic corrections and deep tissue massage, and kept me running through my trio of spring races.
(Does anyone else think this is a creepy chiropractor picture?)
I was happy to be running, but she was not happy that every week or so she could measure a 3 cm difference in my leg length. And, while she could relieve that nagging tightness in my SI/piriformis/ITB, it always returned between appointments. Still, at my last appointment I was surprised when my chiropractor fired me. Of course, she told me that I was welcome to continue treatment, but she said that she shouldn’t have to be adjusting me week in and week out, and suggested that I get an evaluation to see if there is something else that is persistently making my right leg pull short.

(1956 Chiropractor Beauty Contest from the LIFE photo archive)
I asked around, did some Google research, and found a marathon running doctor who seemed to fit the bill. (I prefer to see doctors who are runners because they tend to understand runners and running-related injuries more than others!) My initial assessment was anticlimactic–he confirmed the muscle imbalance that a few reps of single-leg squats and leg lifts had told me months ago–and suggested that I start with 6 weeks of physical therapy before undergoing any more expensive/invasive diagnostic tests.
So, that’s where I am. I’ve booked my physical therapy appointments, but they don’t start until mid-June. Until then, I’m still doing my strength routine, using my foam roller, and trying to keep running.
When you have a sports injury, do you try to find a doctor who also is an athlete?
Do you see a chiropractor?