Is it really worth it?

Almost every day I have a patient ask me....Is it worth it? To keep running when you wake up the next morning with heel pain, to continue a dance career when you keep getting sidelined with injuries, to wear heels when those bunions are killing you. To be honest, its a question only each patient can answer for themselves.

Take for example Dancing with the Stars. More than a third of the contestants this year have foot issues that either took them out of the competition or are requiring over-the-top treatments to continue dancing on the show. Now for the ones who drop out, obviously we know the answer...but for those who feel the call of the mirror ball trophy...No pain, no gain.
http://www.examiner.com/x-21681-Anaheim-Celebrity-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m11d22-Dancing-with-the-Stars-Final-week-has-celebrities-nursing-injuries-Osbourne-may-need-surgery-asap

Most of my patients ask these questions in regards to running. Take me for example: I have been nursing a nagging hamstring injury which lead to some plantar fasciitis due to compensation this fall. My stance, its worth it to remain active, keep up the cardiovascular, fight the holiday weight gain....I could go on and on. So what did I do?

I began using biofreeze, a night splint, and a Tens unit, which I will happily sing the praises of if you lend me your ear, cut back my mileage a bit, and did the unthinkable...started cross training! It worked like a charm, after 2 weeks of heel pain I'm not 100% but I am really close...and still running.

So when people ask me if I think its worth it, I say...see you on the Path!