Allison Hailey - Teacher/Massage Therapist, (Georgetown, Tx.)
I'm a runner. Ken
says runners are all nuts. Maybe. But, it's kept me in shape and healthy.
But, I almost had to give it up. When I began training for the Motorola
Marathon in 2001, I got stuck at 6-8 miles. What I mean is, I couldn't run
more than 6-8 miles without my left ankle feeling pain and unable to hold
my weight as I stepped on it. This had happened before many times, since...
... I'd been a runner for many years. I could only train for and
do 10K races, but I longed to up the distance and experience the accomplishment
of a marathon.
As the weeks progressed in the training program, we hit the eight mile mark. Like clockwork, during the run, my ankle began feeling pain; I felt a tightness or pulling that would come and go. By the end of the run, though, my left leg seemed to "lock" up and I could hardly limp to the car. I stretched as recommended and iced a little at home, but something else needed to be done, I knew.
Ken Moench had presented a seminar at our marathon training meeting a few weeks earlier. His topic was injury prevention. I was skeptical that massage could cure my ailments, but his presentation touched on many areas that were concerns for me. The first indication I got that Ken was on the up-and-up was when I called his office and he was willing to talk to me over the phone and give me advice without making me come in and pay. Within two days I was making an appointment, though.
I didn't expect the painful treatment, but was quite surprised by the obvious release in the muscle. As I winced and moaned in pain while Ken held the leg muscle and moved my foot from flex to point, I could feel it letting go and the pain subsiding. I accused him of letting up on his pressure and even watched him (through squinched eyes) to make sure he wasn't tricking me!
Please note, I said earlier that my ankle was in pain and Ken worked the muscle in my leg . I was shocked when he started working on my calves and shins. I, of course, questioned him on it and wanted to know exactly what he was thinking. Also, remember, I was a skeptic. As he explained to me, these muscles connect at the ankle joint, thus, when it tightens, I was feeling it in that area. There were several spots along my anterior tibialis and calf muscle that Ken worked on and released the tightness. It was like a miracle! I could not believe the results. I continued to train with the marathon group and went in to see Ken every few weeks as needed. My leg muscles had been conditioned to tighten; this is known as muscle memory. So, with successive mileage increases my ankle would feel the pain; I'd go to Ken to have my legs worked on; and slowly, but surely, the muscles have become conditioned to endure longer periods of time before needing this sort of work.
I have now completed 3 marathons and am training for an ultra with Ken's treatment. So, giving up running has not become a reality for me, but ice baths and massage have.
An e-mail sent this year while training for her ultra marathon...
Hey Ken,
I made the entire 18 miles on the trail today without ANY heel pain! I think that's amazing! I think you get the credit for it even though you made fun of me in front of the entire group. :o)
Right now, after an ice bath, I feel pretty good except for ITB on both legs and hip soreness.
See you this week!
Thanks,
Allison