Aging, and the Pain Body . . .

[doodlemaier]

So it seems that the problem in my shoulder is no longer one to solved but rather one to be managed. A trip to Doc Curry of Curry Chirpractic in Winchester, Va. reveals lots of things; after knockin' some shit back into place he mentioned that physical stress seems to express within a certain group of muscles creating an imbalance and probably will throughout my life, just as a particular car might have its quirks. But he did give me a name, and knowing one's name is to have power. There is a small muscle that runs from the neck to the shoulder called the levator scapulae, or as I've been referring to it lately, the 'Darth Vader Scapulae', because it is the DeathStar in the galaxy of my back. This is the culprit that cramps when the rhomboids spasm.

I hate to complain about shit like this, I hate that I even have shit like this to complain about. I'm rarely one to be sick in any way, and when I am I can trace it back to (too much of) something I drank. But this is the kind of thing that really has the potential to cut into a lot of activities I've been looking forward to, and Spring is right around the corner. I'm going to take an extended lunch today to walk around in the warm sunlight and let it beat down on my back and shoulder, to invite the subtle forces of the universe to come into play here, as well as, I'm going to look into a yoga studio over in fairfax by the name of Sun & Moon. The other option is to turn it over the MD's for whom my shoulder is just another target for botox injections; which to me is just one step away from the ol 'teacup and leaches' technology (not even a cure - just management ~ fuck that!) The outcome of this depends largely on how I manage it from here.

We take our mobility for granted until it's threatened. But I do believe that nothing that happens to us is random, or an accident, but rather we are given lessons to practice being. And I definitely feel that my lesson to practice through this is humor. When we lose our sense of humor to adversity we have foresaken the point of our lives.

Comments

[helcat.livejournal.com]

boobear, i want to join you for the sun and moon excursion. what time?

Uh err. . .

[deansavatar.livejournal.com]

I never thought about it in terms of time because I was going to gather information so that I might interest you! I'm off at 5 (or 5:30 if that's more convenient for you) and it will take me 15 - 20 minutes to get there from here. Shall we meet there?

Re: Uh err. . .

[helcat.livejournal.com]

I'll meet you there! I will get out of here around 5:15, I suspect.

We're doing it again. . .

[deansavatar.livejournal.com]

I'll wait for you if you're not there when I arrive =)

[lil-psy.livejournal.com]

Yoga is really good for you. There are many different types though, ones that focus on strength, stretching, endurance, focus, mediation, religious aspect, etc., etc. I was taking a yoga class out in Manassas at the GMU rec center and it was almost 2 hours long. It mainly focused on strength and relaxation. It was so good. Each day I would feel like I didn’t want to go or deal with the traffic, that all I wanted to do was go home however I would drag myself to class (an extra 40+ mins added to commute)… however it was SO WORTH IT.

Another thing that is really super good for you is Tai Chai. Gary’s uncle just started taking classes at Gold Gym. He just learned to walk (in slow motion). It’s really neat!

Yoga Means 'Union' . . .

[deansavatar.livejournal.com]

there is a woman at Sun & Moon, named J.J. who teaches a therapuetic expression of yoga, which is why I'm interested in that particular place. not to mention, it's been recommended to me more than a few times now.

Ah I know that muscle well

[misssassycat.livejournal.com]

It's a weird little muscle that runs from the back of the neck down the side around to the front middle of the shoulder? It wreaks havoc with my fibro. Have someone massage it, just run a finger hard down the whole thing. I also use heating pads and that funny bed buddy thing. One of the best things was that weird looking massager I got from target. Supposed to work like someones thumbs. Let me know if you want to borrow it. Sorry to hear you're in pain though. :( And yeah, yoga rules.

I feel your pain

[dontshootthecat.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with misssassycat in that it wreaks havoc with fibro. Of all of the muscle groups that my fibro messes with, that area is the worst, coupled with a few other muscles in that area. Sometimes the spasms and knotting go from the base of my skull to the middle of my back - feeling like it's trying to bend me over.

Therefore, it makes sense that your condition will benefit (that word's a joke) from the same treatment. Yoga, Tai Chi, swimming, heat, muscle relaxants, etc. The problem is, as with Fibro, you can manage it (barely) but not fix it permanently. The problem is that exercise is the best thing for it, but the pain makes it difficult to want to exercise.