I’ve had this too

Last night, a patient with a tibial bone stress injury asked me a question I’ve heard many times before:

“Will I ever be able to run again without this pain? Every year when I try to run, this pain comes back. Is it possible to fix this?”

I hit her with a quick and confident YES

“Here’s how I know,” I told her. “I’ve had one too. Mine dragged on for almost two years and a couple weekends ago I finished a half Ironman without any leg pain.”

I also know because I’ve walked countless patients through this process. It is possible to come back from a bone stress injury and run without pain.

You can heal after bone stress injuries
I used to actively avoid telling patients about my previous injuries or running related pains I was having.

It felt like I couldn’t do so without losing my credibility. “I’m supposed to know how to heal these injuries so I shouldn’t have them in the first place!” Was my faulty mentality.

We’re all human. We get injured. Myself included. And honestly, going through the bone stress injury experience has made me a better therapist.

So when I’m talking to patients that have one, I get it.

I know what it’s like to feel stuck in a never-ending cycle of pain that never fully goes away.

I know what it’s like to think, “It’s not that bad, maybe I can just run through it.”

I know what it’s like to believe that the right mix of stretches, foam rolling, or exercises might make it disappear.

I get it, because I’ve been there…

And thankfully, I’ve learned how to treat it really well, both for myself and for my patients.

If you think you have a bone stress injury, schedule a free discovery call with me and we’ll get to the bottom of it.

Your best is yet to come!

Dr. Michael

Valiant Physical Therapy
Evanston, Illinois
Physical therapy for Runners | Sports Rehab