Is it suppose to hurt?

Over the last few years i have been dealing with off and on shin splint pain. And its a big pain in the shins. My body goes through phases of "i'll cooperate and let you run/walk" as well as " I hate you you must be in pain and not be able to walk." So after reading Molly's Blog about ART i thought it might be a good idea for me to try it. Since all the stretching and ice and rest I've been doing hasn't worked much. I sent her an email asking what she went in for and she made a point to tell me that its going to hurt. Pain?!? sweet...See i'm one of those folks who believes in no pain no gain. I guess i get it from many years of receiving deep tissue massage. Many years of little fingers/elbows and forearms digging their way around my back seeking out knots and destroying them. Pain is expected and honestly its welcomed because i know the next day i will feel like a new person.

Fast forward a few days to my appt. The doctor was nice watched me walk and played with my feet a little. Then asked if i was ready and he gets to work. He said my feet are a mess and my calves are super tight. He asked if i have had any heel spurs before.I said yes once about a year ago and they were cured by taping and rest. The pressure wasn't as intense as i was expecting. It felt like a Swedish massage rather then a deep tissue. At that point as i'm laying there i was thinking "wow this is not painful at all is he doing it right". Before i left he told me i should start taping my arches for a few days after the treatment. So i have to go get some more athletic tape or maybe something not so harsh on my skin. Before i walked out he showed me some exercises to strengthen my arches and inner leg muscles. I left with my legs feeling a little looser, my ankle beginning to be a little sore from all the manipulation and walking straighter.

Now i know that not everyone's experience is the same in any thing, but honestly i thought i was missing out LOL. I even emailed Molly when i got home asking if it was suppose to hurt! i guess ill have to get my massage therapist to torture me when i go in next. She is more then willing to make me feel like a broke chicken wing. Actually i think she takes some pleasure in making my muscles do what she wants them to do.

This morning I'm not really sore. My right shin, which is the bad one of the two, feels a little tender. Not tender to the touch but tender as in how i feel the day after i have a freezing episode. So maybe this will work? I'm seriously hoping so because Athena loves her walks and i love my work outs! Tonight will be the test. I'm planning on a long walk with Athena due to us leaving early tomorrow for a 2 hour drive to Sacramento!


Thanks Molly for all your help!