Movement
I understand that it is necessary for our bodies to move. After all, we are mechanical beings, with joints, tendons and muscles that are made for moving. Many years ago, I decided that I didn't like the word exercise and changed it to movement. The word 'movement' connects me to my body in more enjoyable ways.
I know the benefits of movement because I have experienced the stiffness, lack of energy and physical unwellness of not moving. I prefer to walk outside. However, the winter conditions can be treacherous and the temperature prohibitive. I don't always enjoy working out or walking on a treadmill – going nowhere. However, in the past, I worked out and continue to walk on the treadmill during winter or inclement weather. I love to swim! It gives me the freedom to move without injury. Water is energy that has the ability to heal the body. When I'm in the water, I plan my day, solve problems and release tension into the water. I feel relaxed and energized at the same time.
It has been a long way back to physical wellness since my back injury. I have had to find the patience of slowing down and beginning once again to rehabilitate my body. Slowing down has been a hard lesson to learn. I was doing physiotherapy, progressing, and the pain was significantly reduced. I was given a simple task of making a bed; within minutes after this activity, my hip began to hurt and then the pain went down my leg. I had a physiotherapist and a kinesiologist tell me to push beyond my pain. I believed them when they said, "you won't damage or hurt anything." I did what they told me and pushed beyond the pain. This pushing caused strain on my back. I was unable to walk without a limp or sleep at night because of the pain. What happened? I was doing so well!
I became pissed off at the physiotherapy team and, ultimately, myself. As a result, I came down with a UTI. Those thoughts and pent-up anger caused physical dis-ease. Another lesson learned. What I did learn was to stand up for myself. Say and do what I knew was right for my physical body. I decided to do the movements and stretches that did not cause pain. This supports my body to reduce inflammation and reduce muscle spasms. I told the physiotherapist and kinesiologist my plan. I'm not sure what they thought or even agreed. Shortly after, another physiotherapist came on my team and said, "you have stressed your back." I appreciated her words; she confirmed what I was feeling physically and emotionally.
“The fascia is where we store all of our traumas, whether physical, mental or spiritual. These traumas all create thickened, dense, fascia, which impedes full functioning and causes aches and pains we mistakenly believe are a normal part of ageing.”
I had seen a physician before I started the rehabilitation program. I saw the physician again, and he wanted to figure out why I had additional pain in different parts of my body. Physicians base their diagnosis on scientific tests, so he sent me for an MRI and x-rays. The MRI and x-rays showed no change from three years ago when I sustained a back injury shovelling snow. Or did I? What the MRI showed is that my L5 has slipped 8mm from my S1. This has caused the sciatic nerve to become pinched between the two vertebrae. The doctor told me I have a congenital condition. There's even a scientific name for it; however, I don't remember what it is. I guess the diagnosis isn't that important to me.
“Genes can change their expressions.”
The fall down the stairs and pushing beyond the pain caused exasperation of the condition. Or could it also be a Fascia issue? Facia is a dense material that surrounds our tissues and muscles in a secondary nervous system that links all our organs and muscles in a seamless web.
“I’ve come to believe that most of the muscle and joint restrictions we associate with ageing are nothing more than dense facia that needs stretching!”
Another aha moment.
I've been here before and worked very hard to rehabilitate my body. What is important is that there is a cure, physiotherapy, movement and connecting to the emotions that got me here in the first place. My pain has reduced, I can walk without a limp and I am experiencing healing once again. I am listening to my body's signals and respecting what it tells me. I desire to move through dance and looking forward to incorporating dance into my life. Today the doctor suggested I begin swimming, of course very gently and listen to my body's reaction to the movement. Can't wait!
I have such an appreciation for this lesson. It has reinforced the importance of listening to my intuition, my body's signals and given me the confidence to stand up for myself.
