Ouch! My Back Hurts

I can’t remember the last time my back didn’t hurt.

It was a long time ago.

Can’t say for certain my back wasn’t hurting here, but at least I was trying to do something about it!

Apparently I’ve got a slightly compressed L5-S1. In addition to the pain, I have continually numb feet and tingly legs, due to sciatica.

Now here’s the “interesting” (not!) part …

Ask me if I’m doing anything about my back pain? (other than commenting that it hurts multiple times a day)

Survey says: NOPE!

Now ask me if I’m already aware of things that I could be doing, but am apparently too lazy or stubborn to keep up with regularly?

You guessed it …

I’ve been to doctor’s appointments and physical therapy. I’ve also been provided numerous handouts and websites with stretching exercises to do daily. In addition, I’ve been talking for a while about doing yoga (which I quite enjoy) every morning.

I even found stuff like this already saved in my Google photos (not sure of the source)

But somehow I’m always “too busy” or even better “forget” to do any of it.

Instead I just say “ouch!” a lot.

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Time for a turn around:

I know that I have to do something (other than belly ache).

But there are so many options …

Besides all of the articles about “back pain” here on Substack, I already subscribe to a couple of yoga publications.

Does your lower back scream? How to make it happier

A 5-minute midday stretch for the low back

Then The NY Times is telling me to strengthen my core and move every day.

NY Times: To Ease Sciatica, Keep Moving (gift link)

Duh, thanks.

Finally, the VA also has a ton of information and resources.

https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/low-back-pain.asp

It’s all almost overwhelming.

… which probably goes at least a short way towards explaining why I so often do nothing.

I think I just need to get back in the habit of doing something, every day.

In the end, I think the easiest path is the 12 year old You Tube video I already have saved in my favorites and bookmarked on my living room tv:

And the 2-3 mile walk that we already go on most evenings.

When this becomes a legitimate habit, then I can try to tackle the more advanced stuff.

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