Some months ago I fell down and forward while downhill skiing. Initially, my self-assessment suggested some sort of strained or stretched muscle within the hamstring complex of my right leg.. Accordingly I ceased skiing for the day and invoked the "72 Hour WAIT 'n SEE Rule" with great hopes that things might begin to sort themselves in the interim. It was not to be. The range of flex motion at my knee devolved to barely 90 degrees and my thigh and quad muscles felt tight and shorter. YIKES!!! I was a mess.
I then returned to San Francisco for a visit with my primary care physician. He's an Internist/Doctor of Osteopathy who is held in the highest regard by his colleagues and patients. Following a thorough physical exam by him of my right leg function/strength with special emphasis on challenging the knee's ligaments network it was decided that the knee was OK. However, because muscle groups had been stretched/pulled/and irritated he opined that I might also be suffering from PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME and Physical Therapy treatment was recommended for 2days/week/6weeks.
The Physical Therapy routine included learning to do the Piriformis Stretch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFtUgS69rPk and many additional stretches in order to regain full range of motion. Almost immediately I felt that progress was being made incrementally ...albeit it in 'baby steps'. But, by about the sixth session I began to feel little or no further improvement of my status. Nevertheless the PTs encouraged me to 'keep up the good fight'. Soon, just halfway thru the course of treatment, it became apparent that some of the gains made earlier were no longer sustainable, I became anxious and frustrated. With 6 more PT sessions still remaining in the mix, the question was: "WHAT TO DO NOW"?
I asked around, and a friend told me I should make an appointment with Nenad to see if 'massage' might sort me out sufficiently so that I could resume my PT treatments. I contacted Nenad and made an appointment to have him bring his massage table to my house, evaluate my situation, determine if he could help me, and if so, then give me a 'directed, athletic massage'.
Nenad's arrival was punctual and energetic. From the moment he arrived I was impressed and put at ease with the respectful way in which he conducted himself while skillfully orchestrating much detail. The massage table was easily deployed in my living room so that he'd have sufficient room to work. He evaluated my status and explained that his massage would target the deep tissue damage, with the intent to improve circulation of blood to the stretched muscle tissues while also improving neuro-muscular timing/control. This was an encouraging objective, so I decided to simply 'receive' this 'goodness'.
To be sure, this session with Nenad was precisely what I needed. At its conclusion I felt stronger, more flexible and confident that I was now more likely than not to receive the full benefit of the PT experience. Indeed, ultimately that was the case and I graduated from PT care with flying colors!.
With sincerest thanks to Nenad, I am now at 100% strength/range of motion and looking forward to another fun Winter full of of the smoothest steep and deep powder skiing one could hope for. read more
