A Letter from Annette: No acupuncture or ultra-sound

Hi Greg,

I read your book last night. After seeing two podiatrists and getting somewhat different information, I kept searching for more info and hoping that a boot, rest, and an orthotic wasn't the only solutions. I have to admit, I am really bummed. Especially today. I am a runner. Not an ultra runner, just halfs. But most of the time, just 3-4 miles for fitness and fun. I really enjoy it, but right now I'm out of commission. I have been dealing with this for two months and did pretty much everything you're not supposed to do. This stupid problem is not high priority for podiatrists, at least the two I saw. Also, it just seems like podiatry is in the cave man days. I cannot accept there isn't something better than the standard advice. I have aggressively searched for answers.  It's like stumbling in the dark. So I bought your book. And I have prayed about it and asked others to. 

My question is: what if I cannot do acupuncture or ultra sound? What if I do everything else? I'm asking because I doubt my insurance will pay for it. 

Thanks for writing the book.

-Annette

Hi Annette,

I don’t normally respond to emails about this because there is no way for me to know your specific scenario and this is an extremely traumatic problem for a lot of people. i.e. Once I email them one time, they don’t stop emailing me.  Everything I am going to tell you is already in the book.

I lead with that but also understand what a bummer this is so here is my answer….

Don’t worry about acupuncture and ultra sound. BTW, there are quite a few acupuncture clinics that do acupuncture for free! (They accept donations if you want). You don’t need to do the electric stimulation acupuncture and frankly sometimes just normal acupuncture is better.

Ultra sound is hit or miss depending on your specific issue.

If you don’t do acupuncture and ultra sound, that isn’t a huge problem. Your BIGGEST allies are going to be ibuprofen and foot ice baths. (just get a small container to put feet in, ankle high) to keep the swelling down.

Also, I am in the process of re-writing the book to organize the information better and to spell it out in no uncertain terms (even more than I did) the fact that there is only 1 way to win this game and that is to “stop causing inflammation” and to “get rid of any inflammation that is currently there” by any means necessary.

Booting your foot is OKAY and should help alleviate pressure on the foot so you stop causing inflammation but your BEST, BEST, BEST way to go is to see a pedorthist (a person who makes orthodics) and get an orthodic made specifically for your foot and your problem that will fit in a pair of walking shoes that you should be wearing until the problem is gone. (i.e. don’t wear heels ever)

If you don’t heed this advice and depending on the severity of your problem, it could be years until this is gone.  If you heed my advice and are diligent about staying on top of it, it could still be 2-3 months before the inflammation is totally gone but it will go away.

If you have a “fracture” of the sesamoid bone, that is a completely different beast and nothing will help you until the fracture is healed (see that section in the book).

Hang in there and be patient but stay on top of this. It will go away. If you are going to see another doctor, make sure you see a “sports” Podiatrist and see a “sports-centric” orthopod. No one else will care, you’re right.  I traveled the country to find the right people for me. It was costly and required a lot of patience. I had sesamoiditis in both feet!

Please, if you would be so kind, leave my book a 5 star review on amazon.com. I would really appreciate it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sesamoiditis-Cure-definitive-understanding-overcoming/dp/1495466108/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Click on review link and then click “Write a customer review”

You don’t have to have bought the book on amazon to leave a review. i.e. its ok you bought it from my website, you can still leave a review.

Thanks

Greg