Consider my mind blown. Completely.
I was talking to the ultimate choir today. I was told that there is a podiatrist who believes in minimalist walking/running. He lives in Portland. His name is Dr. Ray McClanahan. Wow! That took me a second.
Also, a physical therapist, Sanatan Golden, in Portland (might have a funny TV show based on stereotypes in that town, but I believe Portland is looking like a good city right about now) who hosts a web YouTube called “Minimalist Mondays. ”
Next, Brian showed me his very own foot treatment. Practicing what he preaches. Doing his own exercises.
Finally, he read my blog. Not all of it, but some of it.
Wow. Mind blown. Thanks, Brian.
Actually, that wasn’t all. I mention that my knee is super crunchy when I do the active hamstring stretches, and he pulls out a mini plunger and some of the ultrasound goo to help make a good suction area. Before we use these things, he shows me how to move my kneecap around to help mobilize it. Then, after noticing how it likes to move down, but not so much up and especially not up and to the right, he squeezes the goo out and begins to plunge my knee. It’s like having traction done on your kneecap, and it feels amazing. He explained that this would help to lubricate the joint as well as encourage more circulation to the area. There was also a bit about the neurological factors involving isometrics and cramps, but it is late. More on that, perhaps later.
Next, he ASTYM’ed my ankle and calf muscles. The right heel where the Achilles Tendon attaches hurt a lot more than the left. Really, everything on the right side hurt more and was crunchier (definitely a scientific term).
He showed me how to massage my tendons and muscles between my big toe and the other toes. This increases the big toe’s flexibility and ability to move out and increase the width of my foot. Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that the wider the foot, the better! Take that shoe industry! Where are my WIDE toe boxes???
I also learned how to stretch the top part of my foot and use a baseball to help increase the flexibility under my forefoot or help the arch that should be there redevelop.
So, now I’ve got 5 exercises!!! I think we’re getting somewhere 🙂