Clear Skies on the Horizon

I had my first physical therapy appointment today for my shin problems, and I'm ecstatic to say that I finally heard some clear explanations for the pain I've been experiencing and that there is definite hope for a full recovery within the next two months.  Before I go into all that, allow me to sidetrack for a bit first!

Firstly, my legs have been feeling better during the last several days and this time it seems to be sticking.  On Sunday afternoon, the weather was beautiful -- sunny and in the mid 50's.  I decided to go for a 30-minute casual walk along the Great Hill Trails on campus.  Breathing in the fresh air, experiencing the pleasant solitude in the woods, and having no leg pain was a combination that gave me great joy.  The soft ground provides some give for my shins.  I really feel like the trails will be my path to getting back to a routine that I so enjoy.

By the way, this Wednesday, April 6 is "National Start! Walking Day."  Check out the link for more details.  I think it's a great idea that the American Heart Association helps coordinate.  This Wednesday at Bridgewater State at 11:45am and 4:30pm, there will be planned walks for students, faculty, and staff on the Great Hill Trails starting behind the Tinsley Center.  I'm hoping to do the 4:30pm walk, time permitting.  Regardless, I love the timing of this event with what's going on for me personally.  Synchronicity in its prime beauty, I say.

During my physical therapy today, the therapist asked me a lot of great questions, and he thoroughly examined everything with my feet and legs.  For the first time, I felt like an expert was genuinely interested in my well-being, getting me on track, and really knew what he was talking about.  I learned I'm flat-footed but only on my left foot.  Many of the muscles in my legs, ankles, and feet need some flexibility training.  The joints in my ankles and feet were stiff, too.  All of these issues have been contributing to my problem.

So the next steps are five sessions of physical therapy over the next three weeks to stretch and strength muscles for my ankles, calves, hamstrings, and glutes.  I'll be getting some shoe insoles for the arches of my feet.  The therapist showed me exercises I can do at home, too.  They're also planning on doing an ultrasound of my shins -- not as a diagnosis tool, but as a way to "microwave" my shins to break up any bad stuff in there.  Literally, microwave was the term used.  Kinda crazy, huh?

My therapist told me I'm definitely in the final healing period for my shins, and with all of the exercises and advice he'll be giving me, he even told me that running should be in my future again.  Honestly, walking briskly is fine with me but if he can promise me I'll be able to run, that is fantastic news.  Within two months, I should be able to do intense distance walking again.

Though it was raining today, I can see there are most definitely clear skies on the horizon.  I have such a good hopeful feeling with this turn of events.