Neurokinetic Therapy, a.k.a. Voodoo Magic

I arrived at Dr. Eric Nelson’s office for my usual appointment. Even though my leg has not shown signs of ITBS for several months, I still go for maintenance every two weeks in order to STAY healthy. When I showed up, Eric was excited. I was too because just a few days prior, I had completed a 75-minute run with mile splits that were as fast as I used to be before ITBS decided to overstay her welcome. I was better–or so I thought. I walked into the examination room, and he said, “Okay, we’re going to do something a …

The *other* 4 letter word: ITBS

Okay, okay: technically ITBS is not a word. But, I can use a four letter word to describe how completely frustrating this condition is. In the past several weeks, I’ve talked with quite a few people on Twitter, Facebook and in the flesh about their trials with ITBS – otherwise known as iliotibial band syndrome. The sad fact is that if you are a runner, you are very likely to get at least a minor bout of ITBS at some point in your running career. In fact, ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain among runners. I had …

Because I say so: A different perspective of injury

I’m a communication studies professor at Rowan University, and one of the key themes of all of the classes I teach is that communication shapes our understanding of reality. The way we talk about “things” is a meaning-making process. Before you start to think I’m a little crazy, let me clarify. I am not saying we are all plugged into the matrix, and nothing is “real”. (Although that could be true – how would we know ;)?) Objects, events, and people do exist. For example, when I crash on my bike, it will hurt, no matter how I choose to …

The ART of healing

Two weeks ago, I got off my bike after a five and one-half hour bike ride and started my brick run. It was supposed to be a 45 minute jaunt, nothing fast and furious, just your basic brick run. A mere twenty minutes into the run, my right leg became so irritable I had to stop and walk. It was time for me to accept the fact that this leg was not getting any better–and in fact–was getting worse. Tendonitis, ITBS — whatever the heck the problem was, it was signalling its presence and stopping my run. At that time, …

Aqua jogging

A few years back, I had some trouble with my right ITB (iliotibial band) during a run. The pain was significant enough that I had to take frequent walk and stretch breaks to get back home. I didn’t run again for a few days. I started ridiculously slow. Alas! The pain returned. At that point, I resigned myself to the realization that I had a problem with the ITB. I knew what this pain meant: Stretching. Icing. Using the foam roller to lengthen and release the ITB. And, the worst part: no running for at least a week–maybe more. So, …