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October 5, 2019

Keep the Pain Signals Coming until She Listens {Chapter 1}

*Editor’s Note: This piece is part of a series—lucky you. Head to the author’s profile to continue reading.

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Okay ladies, time to keep firing those pain signals until SHE listens! Penelope piriformis reporting in, pain receptors on HIGH ALERT. Addie adductor here, we are ready when she moves that leg back in, Abbie is straining and paining since human decided to swing her leg into the front seat. UGH.

Yes. I. Named. My. Muscles. And, I named my fascia, ligaments and whatever else to remind me to stop and listen. Listen to the signals and sensations our body and mind send us. Whether habitual poor posture, repetitive movements, awkward positioning when doing activities of daily living, or poor exercise form. And, a host of other causes that lead to injury.

I tried to teach my yoga and barre classes with pain. I dutifully went to the chiropractor two to three times a week, did my home exercises. Slowly I would progress, then BAM! – 20 STEPS BACK. UGH.

It’s like trying to learn to tango with the Scare Crow as your partner. Or salsa with the Tin Man, or Swing Dance with the cowardly Lion.

Okay, just breathe. Long, slow exhales to dampen the sharpness. Eyes closed slightly to not see the pain. HA. Like that works. Or, maybe it did. Okay pain: you obviously are trying really hard to get my attention. Well you have it.

Let’s have a chat, maybe I will prepare us a pot of coffee. A good organic, fair trade Columbian bean. Grounds in the filter, some cardamom seeds, a generous amount of Ceylon cinnamon and a slow pour. I am NOT thinking about you Henna Hip, nope, full concentration. Lions Mane and Chaga ‘shroom elixirs in my weighty red mug. Ah. Now, as I sip this delightful earthy brew and feel the caffeine coursing through my blood, let’s have that chat.

So, when did you start to fail me Henna, Abbie, Addie, Penelope, Greta, Sally, Fanny, Hanna and the others? Human: YOU failed us! What? When? Remember when you continued to take step classes, walk, and work too many long hours on your feet? Well, in my defense gang, the radiologist said my ankle was only sprained and it was a month before he suggested the second x-ray that showed a healing fracture.
DUH! Only sprained? Give me a break, pun intended. You DO. NOT. DO. STEP. CLASSES on a sprained ankle. Geesh, and you worked in the medical field. I swear human, no common sense. We need rest to recover.

Heck. You tell folks who come to your mind/body movement classes to listen to the sensations their body is sending them. And, if they feel pain, to gently ease off and either reposition or skip it.

Oh, and remember when you started experiencing pain in your left knee when you walked up the steep stairs daily at work? How long did Katy knee bug you until you FINALLY stopped walking up, and only walked down? How long?

But ladies, those injuries were all long ago, heck, the ankle was in 1991 and the knee in 2005. Human: and how about the numerous sprained ankles over the decades, broken toes from taekwondo, pushing past your limits in yoga, taking seven yoga and pilates classes a week and strength training? Did you ever listen to us when we said to slow down? NO. YOU. DID. NOT.

But, I am now. I am listening.

Thank you human. Now finish that coffee, get off your butt and take us for a walk around the lake to the fitness center. You trashed us, you need to build us back up. SLOWLY this time. We want, no, we need, a good strength training session today and a little time on the recumbent bike. The one with the larger seat to settle into since Penelope is hurting from trying to get your attention.

And human, thanks for finally listening and knowing when we ask you to slow down and rest, you will.

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