Today’s my last appointment with the knee doctor. Not because my knee’s better, but because The Man says I’m done. And by man I mean insurance.
I feel like I’m breaking up with my security blanket.
Every time I go in, I tell him what hurts and what I did, and he tries to fix it. We both know that he can get my knee in fairly good shape, but as soon as I try to run or bike, it all goes down hill. It feels safe knowing when it’s time to run that someone will be there to put the pieces back together.
Not anymore though. I’m on my own. Yikes.
This doctor was different because he used ART as therapy.
Just kidding. ART as in Active Release Technique.
When I first mentioned I saw this doctor for ART, many of you said ART was magic and provided an instant cure for your injury. Ok you didn’t exactly say that, but you had good results.
While mine aren’t so immediate, I definitely encourage anyone with an injury to look into it as an option.
What is ART?
In my non-professional, uneducated assessment, ART is like a foam roller on steroids. And crack. And heroin. All at once.
The idea of ART is to release the build up of scar tissue, which affects the lengthening of muscles and tendons.
It uses the same idea of trigger point therapy to work out kinks in the muscle and tissue. The therapist digs into the trigger point, then has you move that body part to release the tissue. It’s less strange than I make it sound.
If anybody is certified in ART and wants to move in with me to be my personal ART-ist, I will pay you in brownies and cookies and cinnamon rolls…
I’m 100% serious.
Have you used alternative therapies for an injury?
{ 13 comments… read them below or chime in }
Sounds interesting. I have a bum knee (injured it during dance rehearsals for the musical Hair back in Indiana. I was one of the hippies in the chorus.) and when it goes out, I go to the chiropractor. He does some adjustment and it starts to feel better right away.
I’d tried the regular doctor and a physical therapist, but neither one was able to say what was wrong with it. They said it was a stretched ligament … but I had an appointment with the chiropractor one day right after it went out and he took one look at it and said, “Your knee is out of joint.” So much simpler!
Arlene @ Adventures in Weight Loss Just blogged…A happy holiday
I guess I’ve actually had that treatment, but didn’t know there was a name for it. I went to a sports chiropractor for a while and he did that with me along with a bunch of other treatments. It did seem to help!
Brittney Just blogged…Ski Memories
I think my chiropractor has been using the ART technique to treat my glute/hamstring pain. She pushes on certain tight spots in my back while I perform various leg movements. It HURTS but it makes me feel so much better.
I’m dreading the day when my insurance stops covering my visits!
Melissa Just blogged…What I Wore
Oh my goodness! My fiance is 4 months away from finishing chiropractic school & he is ART certified. It’s a LIFE-SAVER. I don’t really have any acute conditions, except for recurring headaches. His ART treatments have helped so much. I’m sorry you have to give up your ART.
I hope you find something else that helps you!
AHHHHH I am SO JEALOUS!!! Do you guys want to come vacation in NC…forever? Or at least until my knee works? Please??? Haha
Sounds like a really useful technique. And that’s awful you can’t keep going. Dang insurance.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun Just blogged…I Just Had to…
Man I really want to try that ART therapy now!
And that really sucks that the insurance ran out. Jerks.
Lisa Just blogged…Cheddar Garlic Bread
i really keep telling myself that i need to go do ART. and have you asked your doc to write a new PT rx? insurance companies can be fooled if the doc write the script differently the second go round
Yea that’s how I’ve gotten it this long! But it’s because the new year is starting. boooo.
I went to a chiropractor for my back because I was having severe pain and they used some electric stimulation on my back which helped, but then it just got worse after I stopped going and I ended up having to have surgery. *Knock on wood* besides that I haven’t had any other injuries!
Beth @ Beth’s Journey to Thin Just blogged…Weight Loss Rewards
I had a similar treatment earlier this year for plantar fascitis–Granston therapy (also by a chiropractor). Its like ART with a torture device. Seriously, it hurt like HELL but it worked and let me finish training for and run my 10 miler.
I hope you find someone/something that can help you get your knees “fixed.”
Do you get to start over with The Man in the new year?
Coco Just blogged…Fitting Gifts
Oo I’ve heard of that- it sounds SO painful! But painful treatment usually means it’s good
Insurance starts over, but I have to wait a realllllly long time until I can get it covered again. Suckssss.
oh, No… will insurance start up again after the new year?
one of my old employees and still current LMT uses ART and it is fabulous.
Kristina @ spabettie Just blogged…a SQUEEEAAKY holiday