Ice or Heat? That is the question...

We all love to heat our aches and pains, however it is not always the best treatment plan. The ice vs heat debate is not a new one, and different sources suggest different options so making an informed decision based on your symptoms is the key to success.

Based on my experience, I would like to provide you with a few helpful hints. Listed below are some rationale beyond the treatment and suggestions to aid you in deciding whether heat or ice is the best method of treatment for your injury.

Do the shoes really make the runner?

I logged a 4.5 mile run last week and discovered that my greatest limitation was not my endurance as I had expected, but rather the significant knee pain that came later that night and into the next day.  I've known for several months now that I have some mild arthritis in my right knee but up to this point the pain has been minimal.  (Especially with regular stretching and leg strengthening.)

So what changed?  Looking back through my running journal, the pain seems to have gradually increased along with my total number of miles logged.  My plan: try new shoes.

According to most running authorities, you should change your shoes once every 6 months, or every 500 miles (whichever comes first).  Though I hadn't yet reached either of these numbers, I was relatively certain I wasn't running in the right pair.  I did my research and decided to get fitted again.   Rather than bore you with the details of my experience, I've listed the basics on types of shoes.