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Prolotherapy Success for Acute Back Injury!
The power of Prolotherapy never ceases to amaze me! A few
weeks ago, I was running outside with my friend at 5:30AM—yup,
on a dark, cold, snowy winter morning in Chicagoland! Sure
enough, I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and went flying
onto my right side, knee, and elbow. I embarrassingly picked
myself up, dusted off the leaves and snow, and started running
again. I did not suffer any major injuries, just a sorely
bruised knee and a gashed elbow. About two weeks later, the
same thing happened to me, this time sliding on the ice.
Again, I landed on my right knee and elbow, resulting in
a badly bleeding elbow—even oozing through my three
layers of shirts! I hobbled home and cleaned up.
I truly thought that nothing serious had happened to me.
Between the stress of increased mileage (over 35 miles per
week of running), cold weather, the couple of falls, plus
the large amount of time I spend in front of a computer,
I was a set up for disaster. During my low mileage week,
I had to run 5 miles on Saturday and 8 miles on Sunday. I
completed my Saturday run and I noticed my back was a little
sore. I thought maybe it was related to the running or possibly
my period coming. Then Sunday I ran the 8 miles when a snow
storm came up during the middle of the run. By the time I
got home, about 4 inches had fallen and I was sliding all
over the sidewalks. I didn’t fall, but I definitely
had to adjust my gait in order NOT to fall! When I got home,
my back really started to hurt. By the end of the afternoon
it was in spasm. By evening, I could hardly move.
What the heck? I had never experienced back pain like this
before in my life? Hum, maybe I’m getting old!? Needless
to say, I tried enzymes, heating pads, massage—but
nothing did the trick. I was going nowhere fast. On Monday,
I could hardly walk, could not bend at all, riding in a car
was torturous, sliding across the seat was nearly impossible.
Lying down hurt. Sitting down hurt. Standing was the most
comfortable position. I knew where to turn. Of course—to
Prolotherapy!
On Monday I received over 60 injections to my sacroiliac
area, thoracic, and right ribs. The rib pain was gone almost
immediately, but the SI/hip pain lingered into the next day.
I was banished to bed rest on Tuesday. Luckily I worked from
home with a laptop on a pillow! Yeah, crazy, I know! On Tuesday
night I was feeling very sorry for myself that I was not
healing faster. I wanted to get up and run. My marathon is
only 5 weeks away! My friend from FL was coming in on Saturday
to run our 20 mile training run together. I couldn’t
believe that I was laying flat in bed! I called her and told
her that she might as well cancel the trip. I was not going
to be able to run the 20 miler. She still had faith and said
that she would be coming any way. Wednesday was torturous
for me—as I had the monthly manager meeting where
our publicist and CPA come in and discuss business for 8
hours worth of meetings! I had to lay flat for all of the
afternoon sessions. It was not looking good. I didn’t
think I was going to make it—let alone run 20 miles
on Saturday.
The power of positive thinking!
My friend from FL called me that evening while I was lying
in the bed with the infrared heating device on my back.
I was not a happy camper. I hate to be sick or slow down
for one moment. I don’t like resting. She was trying
to get me to chill out, which she accomplished by getting
me laughing. Then she encouraged me to have a glass of
my favorite red wine and just relax. By this time, I had
already yelled at my friendly Prolotherapy physician for
not curing me fast enough. He said I needed to be patient—it
had only been two days. I had that glass of wine! : )
On Thursday, I decided that I was done with this laying
around. I got up and did 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer.
It didn’t feel too great, but I was not in excruciating
pain. Friday morning, I got up and ran 30 minutes very slowly
on the treadmill. Again, the back hurt, but it was not killing
me.
When my friend arrived Friday night, I was still doubtful
that we would be able to complete the 20 miler. New snow
had fallen two days ago and it was going to be really cold
out. Dr. Hauser told me I could attempt the 20 miler, but
to do it by running 5-mile loops four times. This way, if
I was in trouble, I would never be too far from the house.
I put on the lovely CORE shorts (which are like a girdle),
two pairs of running tights, three shirts, a face mask, hat,
and gloves, along with my trusty Fuel Belt and started out
with my friend Christine at 6:30AM Saturday morning. My back
didn’t feel great, but again, it wasn’t killing
me. Our water and Gatorade froze after each 5 mile loop,
so we had to come inside to fill up with fresh beverages
and eat some Gu and bananas anyway. Miraculously, we finished
all 20 miles!!! We did three loops outside, and did the last
one on the treadmill. I never would have dreamed it could
have been done. Even after that, we took Christine’s
son to the Museum of Science and Industry and walked around
some more! Wow! Well, again, Prolotherapy comes through!
It is now two weeks later. My back feels about 90% better.
I have been back to full training being very careful with
what I do with my back. I continue to take enzymes and use
heat on my back. Last weekend I ran a 14 miler with another
friend—again in the middle of a snow storm. We had
to wear yak tracks on our shoes to keep from sliding all
over the roads, in addition to running right down the middle
of the streets of Oak Park! But we started at 6AM on a Saturday,
so most people had not even thought of shoveling, let alone
gotten out of their driveways! It’s always an adventure
when training for a race. I am thankful for the power of
Prolotherapy to keep me on track to completing my fourth
marathon. I’ll let you know how it goes! (January 13,
2008 – Disney Marathon). |
Marion running
in the snow! |
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