Who knew that a crack of the back would bring Leilani back?  Ha.  Only God would know that, until I actually DID it.  The pain from my ITB band and the other tendon from my lower leg virtually WENT AWAY!  Here’s what I did:

• Sat on my chair, and twisted from the waist, first from the left, and then from the right.  I used to do this daily, but I haven’t been able for a month.  I’m not sure why but when I did it the other day, I felt the tension melt away and my run that day was awesome.
• Sat on my tennis ball.  Basically, I placed my tennis ball on the floor, and sat on it.  I rubbed and rolled on it until I found a spot where it was tender or I felt a knot, whish was usually where my back pocket would be if I were wearing jeans.  Then, I stayed in that place for 10-20 seconds and then rolled to another spot.  I did this in the morning, at work at my desk, when stopped at intersections when I drove home (BE VERY CAREFUL), and right before I go to bed.

My tennis ball and these X’s are good friends now.

• Soaked in Epsom salt and baking soda for 20 minutes after my run.  2 cups of Epsom salt and 1 cup of baking soda poured right into a bath full of the hottest water I could stand.  You have to watch it though.  The soak relaxes you so much that you can pass out.  I only did this twice.
• Rubbed Tiger Balm on my trigger points and sore muscles three times a day.  I remembered where I used my tennis ball and rubbed a small amount in.  Then I put on some loose pants and waited for the cooling to begin.  I also rubbed TB on my legs right before my runs, and put my compression calve sleeves on.

I use Tiger Balm Red. If you’re concerned about staining your clothes, then use White or Ultra.