So this past week with the pain of my shin splints still there I decided to go for some treatment. I had heard good things about ART so I decided to give it a try and get past this pain.

For those of who have never heard of Active Release Technique and how it works here is a short description:

The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tension, movement and function of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

Well let me tell you the directed tension hurts like hell. There were a few points I started dripping sweat from the pain and the room may have been 68 degrees and freezing. It is not a painless procedure. The therapist spent about 30 minutes total and then did a little ultrasound and then ice.

The end result is my shin splint feels a little better. I am not sure if the ART technique was a “cure” but it definitely helped in the recovery process. I will go back next week for another session and hopefully can resume normal marathon training. I am way behind in my Pfitzinger training program for the NYC Marathon and need to make sure I do not come back too fast and injure myself again.