Pain Free

So the back pain that was so troubling this past fall is a thing of the past. Every day since early October when I simply threw my back out just bending over until early January, I would wake up not knowing what to expect. Sometimes there was nothing...no pain, twinges, or feelings that anything was ever wrong. For the most part, however, the days were filled with discomfort...right around my lower back down the front part of my legs. Yes...the dreaded SCIATICA!

Now, I have never had back problems before in my life. The chiropractor said I was a mess, but his "you came to me just in the nick of time", used car approach turned me off. I see the benefits there but let's keep that $3,000 bill as a last resort. So then, I meet the wonderful ladies and Certified Physical Therapists over at Personal Edge. They are life savers and completely gave me a new perspective on how to heal my back and also prevent injury from recurring. Specifically, they listened to me and developed a rehab program that would help a runner.

So after a few solid weeks of going to their office for one hour sessions, I saw light at the end of the tunnel. By mid-December I was feeling much better, but still had some pain. It was depressing and humbling. As the holidays came and went so did the pain...I avoided Advil and pain killers, but every now and then a vicodin had to be popped (with a nice glass of Cab!)

Finally, in the first part of January, everything subsided....The exercises I was doing paid off, the new supplements I as taking, were beginning to work. Going natural was my approach and I wanted nothing to do with medication of any kind. On top of that I was increasing my mileage...bought new shoes, and was mixing my workouts.

Now, I swear by "core" strengthening and I really am a believer in the many health benefits of fish oil! Dave Foreman, The Herbal Pharmacist, was also a key in helping me get right again. He will never read this, but "THANKS DAVE...I MISS YOUR SHOW!"

So I am good, feeling well, and I have a 22 miler tomorrow....I just hope this storm that is coming in goes away by 7:00 am. What do I care, though...I don't think any storm will compare to what I ran through in Boston last year!!!