I could feel the pain creeping into my back as the hours passed. The pain that is all too familiar. I thought “this couldn’t be…I have been doing so well”. Try as I may, icing and gentle movement were not cutting it. Sleep, yes a good night’s rest would help my body heal. Placing the pillows just so, I slept. I moved to get out of bed in the morning and there was the stabbing pain and the restricted movement. “Oh no I am back here again!” I thought, “this sucks, poor me, back to the beginning again”. BUT my next thought was “you know what you can do, be mindful of what your body needs today and it will feel better”. The pull to slip into the deep dark victim state was very strong but not as strong as my authentic warrior self. I had been here before. I reflected back at how far I had come and how happy I am now with my body’s capabilities. I decided to honour my present reality. I had faith that I would get back to my normal quickly.
Most people have experienced pain, be it from an injury, an illness, or even childbirth. Most likely the focus was on the pain for the duration because pain is all consuming. Knowing, all the while, that it will eventually get better with medication, physio, or time. Follow the doctors orders and this will soon pass. Shortly after the recovery the mind even seems to forget the intensity of the pain. Thankfully, because this allows us to have a second child. (Oh the beauty of the mind!)
But what if your pain is a recurring pain? You have a back issue, like me, or tennis elbow. Well, more often than not you have to figure out how you can live with this condition. What triggers the flair up? What works for you when you have a flair up? Does regular exercise help keep the issue at bay? Do you need to wear a support when doing certain activities? Do regular visits to an acupuncturist, massage therapist, or the chiropractor keep you on the right path? Does medication help with the initial pain? Ice, heat, or perhaps essentials oils help you out. Finding what helps you and sticking to the routine is what allows you to be able to have more good days, free of pain, than bad days, stricken with a flair up.
A valuable tool to help figure things out is keeping a wellness journal. This helps you keep notes on what you eat, how you move or don’t, how you feel mentally and emotionally. Keep in mind a few things. We are what we eat and what our gut is able to absorb. Our bodies were designed to move everyday. Trying new treatments can be the answer. Stress has a huge affect on your entire being. This is your body and your health. Keeping a daily wellness journal can help you figure out how to have more pain free days. You can go back and read what you did or didn’t do that could have contributed to the flair up. Even though a little effort is required in keeping a wellness journal it can lead to great discoveries. Fewer days of pain means you have a better quality of life.
So what caused my flair up? I pulled out a rogue baby raspberry plant from the grass yesterday afternoon. (They sure do have strong roots!) I know… I cannot lift and now I also know I cannot pull. This new revelation is now duly noted in my journal and etched into my brain forever. To get back on track I followed my daily recipe for success; rubbed Deep Blue essential oil into my aching back, drank warm lemon water, did gentle stretching with Miranda Esmonde-White, and then sipped a yummy protein smoothie out in the backyard. By the time I had done all of this I felt 10 times better than when I first woke up. Why? Because I had not let myself become a victim of the pain, instead I took charge and did what I know works for me. I was in control of my actions but most importantly of my thoughts.
Nourishing myself is a joyful experience
and I am worth the time spent on my healing.
By Louise Hay