Thank you Sarah Henderson

I just stumbled upon this blog called Writing for Recovery.  Inspirational.  I could use that right now more than ever.  I look forward to reading all of her poems and writings and gather strength from her motto, "say the unsayable".
http://writingforrecovery.wordpress.com/

Honorable Woman
I am an honorable woman
I live in an authentic way
Honesty suits me well
You can trust that I mean what I say
I am an honorable woman
I know when to walk away
To not take less than I deserve
If it’s not right than I won’t stay
I am an honorable woman
I am loyal to those close to my heart
Love is what gives life its meaning
Even when we are apart
I am an honorable woman
I hold myself in respect
I treat others how I wish to be treated
I never abuse or neglect
I am an honorable woman
I’m accountable for my actions
I’m responsible for my part
Of my personal interactions
I am an honorable woman
I stand up for what I believe
I want to change the world
And I don’t think that is naive
I am an honorable woman
I have faith that things will work out
I believe that God’s on my side
Even when I am in doubt
I am an honorable woman
I work as hard as I can
To maintain the standards I hold
I will not be controlled by a man

I am an honorable woman
I have a powerful voice
I use it without holding back
To proclaim my freedom of choice
I am an honorable woman
My love is both tender and fierce
I will love through pain and desire
I will love through laughter and tears
I am an honorable woman
Who continues to learn and to grow
I am an honorable woman
And should be regarded as so
© Sarah Henderson 2010

Shoe Therapy - Not an Alternative

Shoes, shoes, shoes.  I am mourning the loss of wearing a shoe with heel.  I'm not being humours here.  Genuinely, I am struggling with the loss of options in footwear. 

Most women understand that it is a fact that high heel, narrow toed shoes can cause physical health issues.  My particular back pain problems weren't caused by the wearing of high heels, but as a result I can no longer fashion a pretty heel.

I know it sounds vain.  I should be thankful to be walking at all.  Think positive.  I should be ashamed.  Shallow guilt is damaging.  I in no way have become an advocate against women elongating and slimming their legs with beautiful ornaments upon their sexy feet.  I loved how pretty shoes made me feel.  Just like a drink always taste better when sipped from a beautiful glass.

This article explains the possible effects of high heel wear.
http://www.ergonomicchair.org/news/21/When-High-Heels-Cause-Holy-Hell-in-Your-Back.html

A whole set of problems comes with accepting change even when it is footwear.  I have a 28 inch inseam, yeah, no joke that's it.  Tree trunks.  I buy jeans and dress pants in size 8 to 10 and they come with a 32 inch inseam.  I don't sew.  I shrink them and then would wear 2 to 3 inch heels.  My favourite, mini ankle boots.  This made my legs look so much longer.  So now I've had to find 30 inch inseams.  Awful.  Wow, look at my tree trunks!  Purchased four pairs of ballet flats.  They are difficult to walk in.  http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/18/how-to-fit-classic-dress-pants/

No more sexy. 

Cute.  Forty-something, and cute...sigh.

Some of you will say to me "don't sweat the small stuff", blah.  I'd rather worry about this than the horrible 'big stuff'.

Tyla

10 Helpful Tips for Newbie Back Pain Suffers

As far back as I can remember I was destined to have a troublesome back.  Ann Landers.  She was an icon for her column in the newspaper.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ask_Ann_Landers
In 1983, a person wrote in sharing their debilitating back history and here is Ann's response http://www.newspaperarchive.com/SiteMap/FreePdfPreview.aspx?img=105550777.  My mother read the ladies column faithfully and carried out this test on me.  I was just days away from my 13th birthday.

It seemed I did have the one shoulder lower than the other, so from our small rural community we travel to a hospital with a doctor who drew marker dots of blue on the bumps on my spine.  I was instructed to do a number of exercises and if I didn't do them I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was 25.

I did the exercises for a time and eventually got lazy and no one was making, so that was that.

I've always had terrible, weak posture.  My line of work doesn't help.  Anyone who is confined to a chair at a desk in front of a computer all day has to understand that it is painful on one's back, neck, arms, hips, eyes, legs and head.

My love affair with the chiropractor began in 1996 and has continued on and off since.   Do adjustments help?  Yes, but for me they are short lived.  I can only afford to go once or twice per week.  Massage helps somewhat, but again only momentarily because I'm right back in that work chair within 12 hours.  Useful spine resource http://www.spine-health.com/.

1. Sitting puts 300 psi of pressure on your spine as standing is only 17 psi.
2. Mobility is key. 
3. Stretching really does help.
4. Strengthening core muscles really is helpful.
5. Heating pad feels good.
6. Medications are useful.
7. Rest is vital.
8. Regular bowel movements are crucial to back pain suffers.
9. Patience.
10. Chronic pain is very real.

I'm not in a wheelchair and my spines curvature is very slight; not categorically scoliosis.  Simply, in my early twenties my body began to hurt.  Little more in my thirties.  Wham!  Forty.  The word is that 40 is the new 30 - malarkey!
Tyla

Physiotherapy First Time - Physical Health Wednesdays

The one good thing about having an appointment commitment is it gets me up and showered. I felt human getting out of the house...nearly.

I've been going to the chiropractor since 1996, getting massage therapy here and there, but had never utilized a physio clinic. Today was my initial assessment. I specifically requested a female physiotherapist (Pt) because I require her pelvic speciality. Okay, yes I have issues in me Jane parts since I had a recurrence with my back injury from 2009. 

In July of 2009, I had a herniated disc at L5, S1 and had surgery to release my sciatica. I will post more about my historical back surgery and the events surrounding that battle at another time.

At Easter of this year, my lumbar flared again at L5, S2.  I've been suffering nerve pain again down my left leg, numbness, tingling, weakness and chronic pain, as well as loss of sensations in me Jane area.

I have difficulty walking, so I drove to the location and didn't wait too long to be seen. Lucky because there was this foul odor in the waiting area.  The Pt was petite, mid thirties and cute. She was quite professional and pleasant to talk with. It's always nice to hit it off with a person who is going to be providing a service to you in the long-term. I feel this way about my stylist, dentist and the auto body repair guy.

The Pt recorded my history and I provided her with my latest MRI report.  She carried out a thorough exam on me.  Due to my pelvic issues she advised me that she would require a script from my family doctor to do a internal exam.  The thoughts exploded in my head!  What?  A physiotherapist can do what only I thought my doctor could at the dreaded, every two year pap smear torture!?  I was not prepared for that, so I was relived that it wasn't taking place at that moment. 

She described to me how she could help me.  Stretching muscles, increasing my core strength, massaging my pudendal nerves.  I had never heard this term before.  After some Googling I was educated  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pudendal_nerve .

I have no idea how she plans to stretch and relax that area.  I'm very uncomfortable with all this. 

She provided me with a belt girdle to wear to support my pelvic muscles that are not doing their job until my next appointment.  So far it's quite comfortable except it gives me a muffin top.  Ick.

This was not the adventure I expected from a physio appointment.  Stay tuned.

I apologize for the late post, since it's now Thursday.
Tyla