Peroneal Stretching / Tendonitis

[Guest guest]

OK this may sound very odd but here goes.

I am an almost asymptomatic person with CMT. I have in the past walked

marathons, but in doing the training developed a severe tendonitis in the left

peroneal tendon which coupled with the fact that I had extremely high arches and

curling toes saw me having a no needle EMG and getting a CMT1A diagnosis, as

well as custom orthotics which make exercise so much better for me...

My CMT diagnosis has explained a lot about why my body is the way it is, but I

don't let it stop me. I believe in a good diet, try to exercise regularly and

try to have a happy and healthy life. I set myself stretching goals and

challenges and work to get there - this year I have added a few tough physical

goals in - but more on that later...

Now the strange bit...

Today I went to visit the sports therapist I see, he is doing my

half-triathlon plan and also practices AIS (Active Isolated Stretching) -there

was an article on AIS in the HNF newsletter in Feb, and also I have written on

it in the past.

I complained that work on the stationary bike at the gym was aggravating my

tendonitis. He explained this is because I was using the very weak peroneal

muscle that I have (weakness probably due to CMT) and therefore it was probably

just seized up - overworked and in a state of rigidity needing stretching out.

Five minutes of intense work later (it was like getting a series of Indian burns

that last about 3 second each and lots of bending of my foot) and I could not

believe it but the tendonitis pain was GONE. 100%. For the first time in YEARS

I actually had no soreness in the left side of my left foot. No favouring or

limping when walking. GONE 100%!

The topic of peroneal tendonitis has been a topic before, so my suggestion is to

find someone trained in sports therapy and physical therapy and AIS / myofacial

release and ask them to please stretch out your peroneal muscle and tendon.

This was hard on me as my feet are pretty bendy due to hypermobility syndrome,

but boy oh boy was this incredible.

Now I feel a bit sore due to the stretching but NOT PAIN. I did not realise

that I could have such a dramatic sense of improvement in wellbeing (I am

already happy positive and in general in a good mental state) but the

(temporary?) elimination of low level persistent pain from the tendonitis today

makes me feel like a changed person.

Now to continue some of the stretches at home...

Best wishes from cold and rainy London,

Donna