In my joints, is where.
Most days are good days, but every so often – zap! – the fire in the joints starts heating up. I know now, as many of you do, the true meaning of the word INFLAMED.
One of life’s greatest lessons is the arrival of something unpleasant that you cannot avoid, cure or eliminate in any way. Like a chronic health condition. Like maybe arthritis.
I’m one of millions of otherwise healthy older adults who lives with osteoarthritis. It’s taken up residence in my hips, spine and hands.
The hips were the first point of entry and some nights the pain was relentless. So I got the X-rays (my hips looked like something excavated from an ancient Irish bog!). Told that the hip needed to be replaced, off I went, unquestioningly, to find a surgeon.
But at end of the pre-op work-up I was sent home. I was deemed too mobile and in too little consistent pain. My muscles were supporting the joints very well and range of motion was “superior” for my age.
That was three years ago.
What happened?
In part: luck of the draw. In part: a consistent, gentle, mindful mobility practice. I could not believe that there was not something I could do beyond pop pills and wait.
So, I slowed waaaay down, really observed my limits and started exercising (gentle yoga of course, some Tai Chi, Somatic movement practices) with hawk-like attention to my limits.
And the pain started to ease. I found ways to create just a teeeeeny bit more space in those joints so the grinding abated. I settled my nervous system down by upping my breathing practice.
Now I’m teaching others how to settle, breathe and move with more ease and confidence. If you want to find out more, contact me. Or come to a class – I teach a couple every week.
In the meantime, I’m sharing this audiophile with you from CBC’s Quirks and Quarks. Interesting discoveries about the origins of arthritis. Enjoy.
And start moving – just a little bit more. Huge benefits!!
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/august-19-2017-1.4252722/skeletons-say-arthritis-isn-t-about-aging-it-s-about-activity-1.4252755
