Chronic pain is sneaky... it starts slow, and builds. As it builds you "make do" by stretching, hot pads and Tylenol to get some sleep. When that doesn't work any longer you add in massage and more pain pills and then finally.... you make an appointment for the chiropractor. You walk in gimpy and walk out feeling 95% percent better. WHY DO WE WAIT SO LONG???
Why do we tolerate pain in our lives? Who are we trying to prove something too? Do what you need to do, to get to the bottom of it. For some of the pain in this life (emotional, spiritual, mental) there is no "easy fix". However, often what is going on physically in our bodies can be worked towards a bit more balance and hopefully find some relief and sometimes a solution.
Chronic pain is something that steals. It steals slowly, you don't realize what it's done until you look back and take a good hard look at it. Subconsciously it makes decisions for you, and you don't even realize what's happened.
It steals moments...
- when my little boy jumps on my back playfully, instead of pinning him down and tickling him, I wince and give him shit for being full of energy.
- not having the energy to fill my own cup with the things that I love to do.
- avoidance of situations where I know I will run out of energy before everyone else (I don't want to be the kill-joy on the ski hill, park, hike, ride).
- saying No to my daughter when she asks me to bake with her, because standing on the tile in the kitchen in the afternoon after sitting in the office for too long is going to hurt.
- not taking the dog for a walk in the sun because he's going to want to go further than I want to go. If I'm going to disappoint him, I may as well not even leave the house.
- snapping at my partner without thinking because he asked me a question that made me use a different part of my brain that pulled me from the mindless numbing task I was on and now I hurt.
I am now and have been for several years very active with my self care. I exercise, eat healthy, meditate, regularly schedule massages and I do the best that I can to stay on top of health issues as they arise. I know I am so very blessed. My issues on the scale of life challenges are minuscule compared to so many of my dear friends, colleagues and what others struggle with on a daily basis. I am also very grateful that my career has allowed me the freedom of choice and flexibility.
My point is only this, please be aware of what your quiet chronic pain is quietly stealing from you.
xodi