Lack of sleep, an early boarding time, and ninety minutes of turbulence put a twinge in my lower back. A bumpy second flight, and the car trip home turned a twinge into real lower back pain: I Advil’ed up and avoided bending and lifting. Continued stretching, a heating pad, and an adjustment from a chiropractor had my back feeling better – not back to normal, but on its way.
It’s not the first time I’ve had lower back pain, and airplane turbulence isn’t the only reason for it. Stress, grief, exhaustion, and a lack of physical activity can lock my spine in a vise grip. Everything I usually do is affected until restorative sleep and gentle exercise loosen things up. I’m forced to put much of life on hold, and left to contemplate how my own actions and inactions had a major role in my sorry state. Then I get around to asking the big question:
What needs to change?
I have no control over turbulence on a flight. I do have control over whatever internal turbulence is jolting my emotional life. When I forget this truth, a pain in the back shows up to remind me.
Johnna, i am so sorry that you are going through all of this discomfort in your body; i am sorry you are grieving. 🙁
The good news is that your physical discomfort is maybe temporary and you are/will get better. I find that good sleep is the best medicine possible ; even catching up for a period of time until you know your body is well rested.
Today will be my last session of physical therapy for my right knee/the meniscus which i did something to 2 months ago when grocery shopping; lifting & moving the wrong way, lifting again grocery bags too heavy into the trunk. What i have learned for grocery shopping now is no more self checkout unless i have just a few items and not 20 items or more. Having someone ring you up along the conveyor belt is a much better choice.
For me i realize that i have to make a lifestyle change of not lifting multiple bags at once on one arm ; but spacing a few trips to the car before i leave, not being in a hurry, allowing more time to get ready with my several tote bags of different necessary items for the day. I am grateful that this injury was not worse requiring surgery, but good exercise and time with gaining more strength.
I hope each day moving forward is better for you during this recovery from a stressful time, that you definitely did not plan for.
Peace, Robin
Thanks, Robin. So sorry to hear of your knee pain, too. My back is all set now…peace, Johnna