Expert: Julie Donnelly, LMT - 1/15/2009

Question
HI Julie-
I have written to you before regarding 2nd grade calf strain to both legs while jumproping. I have had physical therapy for achilles tendinitis, had a walking cast on my right leg, and then everything seemed fine and I continued to rest with a little light walking. After a month of getting the cast off, I started developing more and more pain in my arches, the bottom of my big toes, the middle of my feet, and where the plantar fascia originates. I assumed it was plantar fasciitis and went to physical therapy again, with it only getting worse instead of better. It seemed to have gotten worse when I started lifting weights again, involving the hip adductors, abs, hamstrings, and upper body. I went swimming once, and the the bottoms of both feet were entirely inflamed and painful. I went to a podiatrist who diagnosed me with posterior tibial tendinitis because I was unable to do any calf raises on my toes, for swelling on the inside ankle, and pain in the bottom of the foot. I am now in air cast walking boots for both legs and resting as much as possible, doing foot soaks and ice. The inside and outside of my knees are hurting as are both hips, on the side, going into the quads, and around the back to the glute area. The only thing that relieves pain in lying flat on my back with the boots on. I can't sleep on my side and sitting even hurts my hip and knee area. After two weeks of being in the boots, I am supposed to wear orthotics. The initial calf strain which triggered all of this was in July and this is only getting worse with time instead of better. I have been seeing a deep tissue massage therapist who helped a lot but recently quit, and left me stranded. Do you know of anyone who helps with this in the Winston-Salem, NC area?
I have bought your book Treat yourself to Pain Free Living, but for some reason can no longer access it on my computer. Is there any way you could look into your records so that I could access it again? If not, I don't mind buying another copy. Would you recommend that I come visit your company in Texas, because what I am doing does not seem to be working. Is there anything else I can do to help? Thank you!

Answer
Hi Dana,

First of all, regarding my book that is lost on your computer, please go onto my website http://www.julstro.com and then go to the "contact us" link. Email my webmaster by going to where it says technical support, she'll be able to help you get the book back again.  

I was really happy to see that you have my book (you'll have it back soon) because you have so many things going on it's going to take some time and work to get this all straightened out.  

Once you have the ebook back again, please go onto my forum, repost this message, and we'll take it one step at a time.

I know an excellent massage therapist who lives in Greensboro, NC, is that anywhere near Winston-Salem?  While you're on my website, send me a message and I'll give you his contact information if you can get to Greensboro.

I'll look forward to talking to you on my website, I can be a lot more specific than I can here.

Wishing you well,
   Julie Donnelly