So after 4 months of patiently waiting this morning was the day. I allowed 2 hours to get down to Selly Oak – The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and I am glad I did – it took me an hour and a half sitting in the rush hour which is the M5 / M6 junction. I was treated last time at Selly Oak for my foot and at that time the whole place was under redevelopment. Today it is a swanky flash new place, complete with British Airways style self check-in for outpatients.

I saw Dr G Brown http://www.drgrahamebrown.co.uk/ who sat there for about 20 mins listening to we wittering on and then more or less said what do you want me to do about it! Luckily he was playing me along a little and Dr Brown is a committed sports doctor who understands that when someone like me can’t do any exercise it is a life affecting issue. After an examination and a look at my scans he has declared me in reasonably good nick and has diagnosed huge neuro muscular tensions further up in the spine referring down into the lumbar areas and sciatic regions.

After a quick ‘do you mind if I do some acupuncture’ he did some ‘Myofascial Trigger Point and Intra Muscular Stimulation (IMS)-dry needling’ using acupuncture needles. It was very strange, like having an instant cramp in your back which eventually receded. 8 bent needles later and I was feeling a little nauseous but very relaxed.

He compared it to letting a little of the neuro-muscular tensions out and has prescribed me to now do two things.

• Reduce stress in my life generally and particularly at work to help reduce the likelihood of build up of the tensions again.
• “get out on your bloody bike!” – and he meant straight away ie tonight!

We chatted generally for about 20 mins about the areas I need to concentrate on in terms of stress management but it’s the first time I have been prescribed riding the bike as medicine!

Obviously after so long being inactive I will be a little stiff and sore and Dr Brown has asked me to think of any small niggly pain over the coming month as ‘rusty joints’

Am I sceptical?…. well a little of course but I have experienced referred pain before and have had a deep needle release in my back on a knee joint problem about 12 years ago after a mountain marathon, so I know it works. My next appointment is in a month and for the time being he just wants me to distress and get out and enjoy the sunshine, and ride but definitely no training…

I’ve been out for a ride (see another post) tonight !

He did say I would be sore tonight and it may feel like I’ve been kicked by a horse. Typing this now I am beginning to believe him, time to chill in front of the telly and DESTRESS!