Ironman Triathlete: How she got back on her feet...literally!!

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Congratulations Stacey!! When you meet this Ironmother, you know you're crossing paths with someone special. If you've seen her spring up a rope, throw weight over her head or whiz past people in a triathlon, you know she's tough as nails, but she is also one of the kindest and most gracious people you will ever connect with.

Like many competitors, the hardest part of injury is often mental. When you thrive on movement, being sidelined can be devastating and sometimes paralyze your recovery. I had to give my CrossFit buddy some tough love at the beginning, but once she committed, I got nothing but the best. I'm so proud of every bit of effort she put into therapy, and I could not be more excited to see her get back out there. She'll be passing me on the roads again in no time!!!!

In her Own Words…

Three Words to Describe Me: Grateful, Loyal and Determined

What brought you to PT? Two broken bones in my foot coupled with a sprained ankle on January 1st landed me in a boot for 2 months. When the bones did not show proper healing, I was put back on crutches for another month. Finally in April, three months after my accident and still in a boot, I limped into Iron Physical Therapy in Caldwell, NJ.

How have you benefitted from PT? I consider myself a physically active person busy raising three daughters.  My injury caused everything in my life to come to a grinding halt. I could drive but not much else.  Basic household chores and errands became very challenging. The longer the foot and ankle injury lingered, the less activity I was allowed and the more my frustration grew. After one particular doctors appointment, I was told to go home, sit on the couch and do nothing else.  After 10 weeks, that was not what I wanted to hear, I finally got the ok to start physical therapy. It was such a relief to just start moving again and begin the process of regaining normal function. Having the Iron PT staff with me every step of my treatment to support and challenge me is the main reason I am back running, biking and swimming today.

What would you say to someone with the same injury?

Some breaks don't heal as well as others. And when you break the navicular bone in your foot, the healing process can be long and arduous and surgery is sometimes necessary. I would suggest someone with the same injury to see a specialist and line up your physical therapy appointments. After being in a boot for as long as I was caused a lot of mobility issues once the breaks healed. I was at my lowest mentally for my first appointment at Iron PT as it just didn't seem like my foot would ever heal. It was swollen to twice its size and I was walking with a limp. Dr. Mayes told me it was going to be fine, he had seen worse and to change my attitude. It was what I needed to hear. I had to check my negative attitude, get busy working and be patient with my injury. The healing process takes time and you can not hurry it along.

What are you most excited about getting back to? It was an agonizingly long winter which dragged into Spring. I am just so excited to get back to moving without any pain or limitations! I coached my first several lacrosse practices this spring on crutches while trying to maintain some measure of fitness. I had to pull out of my favorite triathlon in Avalon last weekend but knew it was the right decision. I am on the road back and happy to just be lacing up my running shoes again. Although I'm not ready to race, I'm looking forward to doing a few triathlons and working out with Dr. Mayes again at CrossFit. I miss the workouts and the wonderful community of friends there. As I continue to regain my strength and fitness, I am so thankful to have Dr. Mayes and the Iron PT staff in my life!

What is the Graston Technique®? Does it work?

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Our patients affectionately refer to the Graston Technique® instruments as "butter knives!" It's a treatment they hate to love, but the results speak for themselves. Many famous athletes swear by the technique including Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

Does it work?

Historically, The Graston Technique® has had positive outcomes in 75-90% of all conditions treated. It is equally effective on restoring function to acute and chronic injuries, and pre- and post-surgical patient.

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How do the instruments work?

In the healing process, our body attempts to repair muscles, tendons and ligaments with “scar tissue,” much like a scar that forms on the skin when you have scraped your knee. The Graston Technique® (originally developed by athletes) is a form of soft tissue mobilization using six stainless steel instruments to glide along a patient’s muscles, tendons or ligaments to detect and break up this scar tissue as well as fascial restrictions and adhesions which tend to be weaker and less flexible than undamaged tissue. It is not meant to replace a clinician’s hands, but to complement them by substantially improving the ability to detect and treat dysfunction.

Does it hurt?

If there is a large amount of scar tissue, there can be minor discomfort while the clinician breaks it up, but this is part of the healing process.

What is Graston used to treat?

Graston Technique® has been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions including:

• Achilles Tendinitis/osis (ankle pain)

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain)

• Cervical Sprain/Strain (neck pain)

• Fibromyalgia

• Lateral Epicondylitis/osis (tennis elbow)

• Lumbar Sprain/Strain (back pain)

• Medial Epicondylitis/osis (golfer's elbow)

• Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain)

• Plantar Fasciitis/osis (foot pain)

• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/osis (shoulder pain)

• Scar Tissue

• Shin Splints

• Trigger Finger

• Women’s Health (post-mastectomy and Caesarean scarring)

Who can do it?

Only clinicians who have been trained and accredited in the Graston Technique® Basic course are qualified to obtain the Graston Technique® instruments and apply the technique to treat patients

Success!

Last week we discharged a patient who had been suffering from chronic neck pain after a car accident five years ago. After only four sessions utilizing the Graston Technique®, she had complete relief and could not believe the results. She said she could actually feel the scar tissue being broken up and began craving the twice weekly treatments.

More FAQs

The Graston Technique® website does a good job of answering some other FAQs

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