I’m so grateful to have extended health benefits that help me access physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapy services. My midlife body is more mobile for it.
Wednesday night I was on the massage table in agony as my skilled RMT Kiet was working on my calves. There were knots. Knots upon knots. The back of my knees where hamstrings attach, knots. My glutes, top, bottom, sides knots. Agony. I cussed.
“Any chance you are up on your toes when walking these days? Are you tip-toeing through the snow?”
Kiet is very wise. Yes, my strategy for slippery conditions is to be more on the ball of my foot rather than the usual heel strike and roll to toes walking.
“Uh ya, I try to walk like a penguin but it’s more like a velociraptor.”
He laughed.
“Ok so definitely stretch calves and hamstrings after walking and try to find more heel striking movements.”
Oh ya. And I’m motivated to stop being a velociraptor because OWIE.
I often have tight calves. I know daily negative heel drops and calf raises are necessary. Do I let it slide? All the time.
So my walking commute home on Friday I looked for moments to lengthen my stride, focus on a heel strike and full range of foot motion.
I hope next month to feel more fluid and less stiff.
My physical therapist has strongly recommended a device called “Theragun.” It is a variation on one of the vibrating foam rollers I have been using for a while, but it addresses things in a slightly different way. It is really magical. I find if I have done something I know will leave me good and sore the next day, I can use it & prevent most of the soreness. I can also work out knots, & its intermittent thumping is more tolerable than something that pushes steadily. I also have occasional restless leg at night. Recently I got up & used it a bit. Not enough trials to guarantee anything (yet), but the two times I have tried that, it worked to stop those darned foot fidgets.
Of course, walking the way you describe is even better, but this thing can help a lot.