Our body is all interconnected. I learned this when my family was in a head-on collision with a drunk driver and I had to go to physiotherapy. My neck would be hurting but the therapist would be working on some other part, like my lower back or hip. The displacement in my lower body would be causing my muscles in my neck to seize up. Or something like that. I probably would have paid more attention if I wasn’t in so much pain.
Last week I sprained my ankle because my son is trying cripple me and for the love of all that is good and holy, I will NEVER, EVER understand why he was only mouthing the words. While it’s feeling better, it’s not 100%. It didn’t help that I went trampolining but Holy Hannah, it was fun.
Which brings me to the whole interconnection thing. I got my orthotics. Apparently they are made of some super, forcing my feet to have arches and stay upright like normal feet, materials. I think it’s kryptonite. Or that liquid metal stuff that that Terminator 2 is made of.
I wore them in my skates on Tuesday when we took the kids to a public skate. Within ten minutes my feet were in agony. AGONY. Apparently my feet were in shock. After 40 years of walking on flatness to be suddenly forced into an arched, upright position left them angry.
Yesterday I went out again but only lasted half an hour. With our bodies being all interconnected the muscles in my feet, calves, thighs and even my ass are taking the brunt of these orthotic inserts. The outsides of my feet being the ring leader to this skating boycott as my muscles learn that this is the way they are actually supposed to be used.
On a good note, there’s a marked improvement in my skating already. I’m still not able to get on the outer edge of my left foot. I fear this will always be a problem and will talk to E. and get her advice on what the hell I can do about it. But there’s definitely a better transition to my crossovers.
In the meantime, I’m icing my sore muscles. Tonight should be fun.
And by fun, I mean god help me.
I remember when I got my orthotics several years ago. I got them for running and they actually had the reverse effect with me. I was in pain when I ran, but once I started using them, the pain went away and has yet to return. So keep with it as they will make things better. As for using them to skate, never have and probably won’t as they will never fit inside my boot!
The doctor who made my orthotics specifically cut them down for my skates to they fit really well!
Sharon, I am constantly impressed by your efforts to improve at your sport.
And, as someone who’s done the whole orthotics thing, they definitely suck at first but you will (eventually) get used to them & appreciate the benefit! Keep wearing em.
You are the woman. Powering through no matter what. I am proud of you. And wondering if we all need orthotics. Especially me.
Is that what orthotics are supposed to do? I always wondered why they were on sale at the chiropractors. I mean really, were there people there getting foot adjustments?
As for the left edge thing, don’t speed skaters go around and around in a circle? Can you, like, get special dispensation to go the other way?