Poster: A snowHead
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I'm currently using the pro-stretch to try and get some flexibility into my ankles and thus be able to ski in my boots without pain. Anyone had to go through this, know what kind of time scale I'm looking at?
I would like to be able to go to an indoor slope soon to try my feet out..realistically how long should I be looking at for some results?
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Neraida, how much time do you give it each day? My ankles are not naturally very flexible but I use the 2 minutes electric toothbrush session, morning and evening, to do both lots of calf stretches (soleus and gastrocnemius) for 30 seconds each.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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pam w, I do 3 x 30 seconds on each foot, three times daily. What's the electric toothbrush?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Neraida, are you doing just a straight leg calf stretch? You need to stretch the soleus muscle too - this explains why, and how to do it: http://www.surfstronger.com/tips/ViewTip/22
My electric toothbrush gives a signal every 30 seconds. Naturally, it's designed to help you time how you clean your teeth, but I use it to swap legs and do the 4 calf stretches.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, Thank you. That's very helpful
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have been doing just the staight stretches. GAH.
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Neraida, the soleus stretch is especially important for ankle flex with knees bent (which is exactly what is usually needed when skiing).
However, once you get the right routine it shouldn't take ages to show results, though it's hard to see, with ankles. The reason I do my "toothbrush stretches" is that it takes no time - I'd be spending that two minutes cleaning my teeth, night and morning, anyway. For me, I feel it's vital to keep up the stretches - it's not just a once and for all effort, so finding a sustainable way of doing it has been very helpful. It's a kind of reflex now. Start the toothbrush - stick the leg out. It looks daft but I rarely have an audience!
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pam w, I can stick at it. Hopefully it won't hurt so much soon. I don't have an audience either, apart from my house bunny. She likes to throw the pro-stretch around when it's not being used
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Quote: |
Hopefully it won't hurt so much soon.
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if you are stretching enough to be really painful it's probably too much. Take it gently, relax into it a bit. If you stretch too aggressively the muscle can respond by shortening, which is the opposite of what you want.
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pam w, Not during, the next morning my calves feel achy and stiff.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Do you warm up before stretching? You should do really as stretching from a "cold" start can cause damage itself.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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pam w, my Mrs still thinks I'm mad doing my "toothbrush" stretch, I just blame you
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kitenski,
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You know it makes sense.
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kitenski wrote: |
pam w, my Mrs still thinks I'm mad doing my "toothbrush" stretch, I just blame you |
If it helps I'm doing them too. One of the best tips I've had and it is (gradually) improving my movement. Many thanks to pam w. I recently ordered the pro-stretch, as CEM mentioned it. Stiff ankles and calves are the bane of my life (well, apart from the shoulders which are less important for skiing).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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little ms spock, I have a routine before I get out of bed in the morning, too. Lie with knees up, then fling knees from side to side, touching the bed each side with both knees. Hug both knees, 30 secs. Hug one knee and do big ankle circles, 30 secs. Hug other knee, ditto. Piriformis stretch, both legs. Hamstring stretch.
Then make the decision whether to get up and make a cup of tea or, exhausted by all that, have another 40 winks.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Mosha Marc, Yeah. Seems to be getting easier.
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