(no subject)

[shadowkat]

Been suffering from lower and upper back pain the last couple of days. The massage last week helped a little bit. Debating doing another one. It's not cheap, folks. About $120 with tip. Which is why I'd rather not. Really rather not. Been alternating heat and cold, also had a watermelon cranberry peach lemonade ice tea with vodka - which numbed me but didn't do much about the pain. Dulled the ache, that's about it. I've had problems with back pain since I was 15. So, am somewhat used to it. It's never going to get better, but really have to lose weight - since the curvature of the back I have requires...a smaller bust and belly. And the constant thunderstorms/barometric pressure drops aren't helping - they just make me hurt more. If you ever get an injury - drops in pressure = PAIN! Doesn't matter if it has healed. Also must go back to gym and get in shape, walking everywhere isn't quite cutting it. But I can't quite convince myself to do it. I drag my feet. Afraid of yoga - I always strain my back in yoga, too competitive and anxious a personality - I can't get the damn breathing thing down - it stresses me out. Yes, it is really odd, I know, to stress about breathing. I know why. I intellectualize it. You think about breathing, you can't breath. It's like walking, you think about walking - you can't walk. You can't think too much about it.

Work...is actually going well. Frustrating at times, but got several compliments this week. My workplace likes me. Nice. And I get along with the people. We understand each other. It's odd.
Not what I ever expected. But I do think this may be the best place for me - at least at the moment. Church is the other thing that is working - it non-demonitional, Christian but not really, Jewish but not really...very into questioning things. I need a spiritual life, not everyone does.
We find what we need, I think. My family lives very far away from me, so I need something that is stable and provides a sense of community, with likeminded folks - which is what the Unitarian Church provides for me, at least at the moment. I'm wary and leery though...waiting always waiting for it all to disappoint.

Wicked thunderstorm...the fourth this week. Thank god it has finally started. I was so much pain prior to it. Could feel the electricity in the air, the pressure, as if the sky wanted to explode. I hate thunderstorms and even more so the part before them.

As an aside, why do we writers feel a need to brutally torture our characters? And more to the point, why do we readers enjoy it?

Comments

[ann1962]

"It's never going to get better,"

I used to think that about my back, and remarkably, it is better now. Finding the right physical therapist, who had a clue about my multiple issues, really truly helped. Especially after doctors and other PTs didn't give me the right info. I'd hire her permanently if I could.

"drops in pressure = PAIN!"

That's arthritis. Had that in my teenage years when I was growing so quickly. Also, yoga can be tricky for people with back pain. With my abdominal issues, certain poses, like down dog, actually exacerbate the issues. I don't really do yoga anymore for those reasons. Too many variables that teachers often don't understand.

Good luck. Totally feel for you on this.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I do have my moments with the back pain - when I'm thinner, and
when I'm doing exercises - it diminishes or goes away entirely. Also, I think I strained something in the lower back.

I don't really do yoga anymore for those reasons. Too many variables that teachers often don't understand.

That's the biggest problem. I had a really good personal trainer for a bit - who told me NOT to do yoga. Yoga requires strength, flexibility, and balance.
I was no where near that level. Also he said, unless I could promise him that I could go in and take a class and not force myself to do all the poses, and not try to do what others were doing, and just go at my own speed...which of course I can't do. He knew me well.

Wish I could find a good pool - swimming really is the best exercise for me.

[ponygirl2000.livejournal.com]

Have you tried pilates? That's supposed to be good for people with injuries. Also if you have the coverage physio can really help. I have persistent neck and shoulder problems and it seems that every five years massage doesn't cut it and I have to do a round of physio.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Yep, a few years back - ran into the same problems as yoga. It requires strength and flexibility. You have to build up to it, apparently or get a really beginner's class. I need to go back to my exercises that the trainer gave me.

Did physical therapy a while back - over 12-13 years ago. It did help a little. But going to try and avoid - no time. (Work is difficult to get doc appointments scheduled in.) Tonight, I lay on the floor for a while with my legs up on a chair - it helped.

[ann1962]

"I lay on the floor for a while with my legs up on a chair - it helped."

Oh good! And also while doing this, take a scarf or a belt and belt your thighs together. You will look ridiculous, but your back will thank you for it. It takes *all* the pressure off. And a rolled up towel just slightly under your bottom. I have a small wedge I use when doing this exercise. Bliss.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

That floor exercise thing worked like a charm. My back doesn't hurt today, outside of the usual neck stiffness - no pain! OF course the fact that it's not raining and there's no drops in barometric pressure or a thunderstorm in the air might be helping.

[ann1962]

My yoga teacher didn't pressure me at all, "Honour where your body is today." but there were just so many complications. I don't blame her, and I really did enjoy it, but nope.

[shadowkat67.livejournal.com]

Had the same experience. I've taken yoga intermittently since I was 16. It's fine as long as all that I'm doing is lying on the floor and raising my pelvis or stretching, but anything else? Like those poses?
Forget-about-it. Eventually, I strain something.

No - my personal trainer is right - unless you are really flexible, and very strong, and/or a lot smaller than I am, yoga doesn't work.