Ok, I've just got back from the chiro. He's a fairly well built guy himself, so he obviously works out and isn't the kind of chiro that's going to tell me that squats are bad for me or other such nonsense. Overall, he seemed to know what he was talking about and explained things well to me. I'm glad I went. Blut Wump, thanks for the suggestion, I owe you. I would normally have just let this heal without finding out what the real issue is.
He started by pushing his knuckles into my back to find out where it hurt and whether it was on one side or central. Whilst I was lying face down, he looked for and spotted that I've got one leg longer than the other
but then he said it's not the legs, it's caused by my pelvis being out of alignment. He said it's probably been like that for years (which explains why I always walk round in circles
). He had me lie on one side with the hand of my lower arm on my upper shoulder and the upper leg bent at the knee. Then he put his bodyweight on my pelvis to kind of twist it, with respect to my lower back, resulting in a few cracks. Then he did the same on the other side. After that, I lied face down again and he said my legs were the same length
He also forced his elbow deep into the muscle around the pelvis (glutes) to 'distress it'. I think that's so that it would release it's hold on the pelvis somewhat, to let it settle in its new position.
The twisted pelvis meant that I'd been transferring loads unevenly from my spine to the legs, hence the eventual injury. Whenever I did squats, I always noticed my right foot was further forward than the left and if I put them level, it felt as though I was twisting myself. Duh! That should have told me something was wrong!
He then had me take my shoes and socks off to look at the arches in my feet, which were pretty non-existant. I think that meant my feet were more pronated than they should be, resulting in slightly twisted legs. I'm trying to remember all the things he said. He said it could cause patellar tracking problems. He said flat feet like mine are pretty common in today's western world with us walking on hard surfaces like concrete. He then suggested I get some Orthotics, which are like shoe inserts that are tailor made to my feet. I didn't do it today, but he has a computer program along with a flat panel that you can walk on to analyse your feet. The data's then sent to some place in Canada, where they make the inserts and charge £220 for them (ouch!). I need to do a bit of research into these to see whether I want to lay out that kind of money. I'll pay it if I have to, but I don't want to get something if I don't really have to.
http://www.theorthoticgroup.com
It cost £40 for today's initial consultation and treatment. He wants me back on Monday, and probably once a week after that at £30 a session. It seems reasonable.
I asked him about working out and he said to leave it until at least next time he sees me. At some point I'd start with the bar and work up to PRs again. Right now, a voice in the back of my head is telling me to build up to bench pressing 3 times a week with high volume, since I'll have the capacity to recover from it
Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below 