Too young for this $%*#

imsherlock

I've got some lingering issues I've yet to get checked out by a local physician (my last one wanted to give me vicodin for what turned out to be plantar fasciitis). I definitely plan on seeing another physician soon, and anyone in the Iowa area who can recommend one would be helpful. Any other insight on the following problems is appreciated.

The lower left hand area of my back is much tighter than the right hand counter part. I'm constantly stretching trying to avoid favoring one side over another, which I believe is causing other problems when I run and bike.

Recently started feeling a slight pain along the inside of my left foot, below the ankle. I believe this is peroneal tendonities (hope it's nothing worse). I've been stretching, icing, and taking NSAIDs when appropriate and the pain has begun to slowly subside.

I have an acute tightness on the upper right hand side of my right foot. Placing the top of my against the ground and applying pressure seems to stretch this out, although I'm not exactly sure which tendon or muscle I am stretching and why it might be so tight.

Brenda Ross

I would see a physio that does ART and or IMC.

Daniela

I would either try Adair Chiropractic in North Liberty (Dr Adair and Dr Green both do ART) or see someone at the U of I Sports Medicine Clinic (Dr Mederic Hall is a triathlete and well-know Dr there). I've seen all of them. Adair and Green for random issues (plantar fasciitis, strained muscles, etc) and Hall for a medial meniscus tear.

jamison.gaddy

Back pain with discomfort in that area of your foot might be a bulging disc in your lower (lumbar spine) back. Avoid in flexion activities for a week. Lay on the floor and do some extension stretches. This tends to take the pressure of the disc and subsequent inflamed nerve root. Then good old core strength exercises. Ride the road bike if you have the option or temporarily put your TT bike in a less aggressive position. Can shoot me an email if you like: Jamison.gaddy@gmail.com. Might be a better help. Scan some exercises to do as well

coop6

What you describe with your back and leg sounds very similar to what I'm dealing with. I have a small leg length difference, and chronic sciatica. You probably need to see a physician to define what exactly the problem is with your back. If you have a spinal or disc problem, you dont really want to mess around with that. I have a great physician and PT, they fixed me right up. I'm in central Iowa near Des Moines though, not sure if that would be close enough for you? I also have a list of stretches and exercises I can share with you if you want to PM me.
FWIW, I alternate between road and tri bike. I can maintain a better aero position on my TT bike if I don't beat my back up with it every ride.

imsherlock

@Daniela,

I believe I saw Mederic last time I went to UI Sports Medicine Clinic. I had no idea he was a triathlete, although he did mention running some marathons.

@Sarah,

What stretches are you doing now? I'm doing some pretty basic stretches for my calves, hips, and hams. I've often wondered about having a slight leg length difference, but again I haven't had it checked out. Just one of those things I need to do.

Daniela

The Halls moved to Iowa about a year and a half ago. He hasn’t raced much this year, and I assume it’s because his wife is pregnant. They are both great triathletes. She’s a PT, which would come in handy if I needed one after seeing him Dr. Andrew Peterson is also a triathlete/cyclist.

coop6

My leg length difference was picked up during a bike fit, oddly enough. I had been having problems with my right leg only, and ended up with a shim under my right cleat, and an insert in my shoe. Made sense in hindsight, my right leg is a little crooked and I had to wear clunky orthotic shoes when I was a kid. I had forgotten all about that. I haven't found any reasonable way to fix this for my running shoes yet.

I do your typical runners stretches, focusing on the hamstrings and hip flexors a lot. Part of my problem has always been that I stretch, but not for long enough. I need to hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds, and then repeat 2 or 3 times to get things to loosen up. For the back, the ones I get particular relief from are the seated spinal twist, and the lying knee to chest stretch where you angle your foot across your body to the opposite side. So pull your knee to your chest, then use your opposite hand to angle your foot towards your opposite hip. Also the lying hip abductor stretch. A foam roller to the low back and hamstrings works great too. I did yoga for awhile, my PT said it would be good for me. I hate it.

Probably as important as the stretching is strengthening exercises. My PT gave me a whole list of things to do to keep me from falling apart again, including back, core and hip exercises. Check out the core exercises that are in the wiki, a number of the ones I do are on that list.