November 22, 2010

Hot Brick Therapy

Week of Nov. 15 ~ 21

No progress, my calf is still sore when I try to run. I ran 4k on Saturday and 6k on Sunday, with 2 walk breaks in each run. Started Sunday with a slight pain and it got worse as I went along. Was going slow, naturally. It was not a sharp pain, which would have caused me to stop, just a dull pain. Anyway, it looks like at least 2 or 3 more weeks of rest will be required.

Unless...the hot brick therapy works. This technique was told to me by a guy at the American School who works in the athletic office and was a serious soccer player. He has had various muscle tears and told me his surefire cure. You take an ordinary brick and put it in the microwave for 4 minutes (it doesn't explode). You then wrap a towel around it (one layer is what I use) and put it against the afflicted area. in my case, resting my leg on it. For 30 minutes twice a day, before bed and in the morning. Do this for 8 days and the muscle tear will be healed. He says.
Sounds like definitely worth a try, so I went out and stole a brick. Thought I would have to buy one, but passing a house on the street in back of my house, I spotted a brick on a side walkway. It didn't look like anyone was using it, so I went in and grabbed it, stuck it under my jacket and walked back to my house. After I'm finished with it, I'll return it. Which will freak them out more than when it disappeared, if they noticed.

Anyway, the brick should be hot, but not too hot, obviously. You don't burn your leg, you just heat it up. I suppose this promotes enhanced blood flow to the afflicted area. If it gets too hot, I just move my leg off for a few seconds. The heat lasts nicely for about 30 minutes. No progress yet, after 4 days, but I probably should not have run 2 days.I'll keep it up this week and let you know.
Also plan to get more serious about physio and also some acupuncture.

Since I can't run, I enjoy reading about your running, so keep those blogs up to date. Later....

10 comments:

  1. Good luck with the brick treament. If it works you should paint it pink, put your name on it and sell at the races.`Bob`s Magic Brick`.
    Here is MY Blog reference...lots of running references!!
    www.jonholmes7.blogspot.com

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  2. That's an interesting one! I hope you get to put the brick back soon. It's amazing the variability with calf injuries. A lady in our group had one that's taken a good 8 weeks. She was cross-training with cycling.

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  3. Ewen: Feel free to pass on the brick trick.

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  4. I hope the hot brick works. It is a very interesting idea and one I will have to remember. I can imagine that it has been hard for you to stay off your leg. I will be praying that you heal soon! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  5. So sorry to hear about the injury. I bet all the rest is frustrating. Maybe swimming? I hear Namban has a good triathlon subset.

    That brick therapy sounds good. I'll probably try it sometime when I'm laid up.

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  6. I have friends in Japan who tell me that they have had a brick nicked!
    I hope you can return it soon!
    :-)

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  7. I recently tore my calf and have been whining endlessly about it on my blog. Ewen told me you'd been in the same boat. I've been going the castor oil+heating pad route, but it maybe I should just acquire a brick instead... :)

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