Last year while attending the philharmonic in Evansville I had excruciating pain in my left foot. The pain was so bad I had to leave the theatre and try to "walk it off". Well the pain did subside the next day to somewhat of a more than mild discomfort (but always there) even to this day 15 months later.
The pain is on the top of my foot above the main arch. So with every step the pain becomes evident when the foot is in a normal gait. Even after sitting awhile I limp for about ten steps or so. The body will accomodate itself and "rob Peter to save Paul", and at times the pain will radiate into the calf and ache for hours.
So why am I telling you all this? Well for years 30 or more to be exact (kind of) I have been running, biking, swimming or lifting weights to keep in shape. I remember at age 30 I decided that I did not want to be like the 40 year olds I was observing. So I started to run and run I did! I would dress for the run and out the door I would go. No stretching before or after, just go and come back as fast as I could. Needless to say after so many years of this something had to eventually breakdown.
That evening at the theatre while the pain was so severe I was thinking that I didn't have any recent injury, no falls or accidents, no tripping or slipping, no stones that I may have stepped on, nothing! Typically we all look to some event to lay blame on but not this time. The blame is TIME itself and not taking the time to stretch before and after. This was not an injury but was a breakdown that could have been prevented.
Dr. Rader is the podiatrist that I see for foot and leg problems. He was very thorough in his examination with x-rays, circulation examination (Dopler) and blood testing. I am now wearing orthotics (which are already making a positive difference) and not running, walking is okay! He too sees problems which could be prevented if we would only take the time to do so.
I am not running and paying the price for the lack of exercise. If I treated my back the same way I treated my feet I would be in terrible shape. Prevention for the most part slows down "breakdowns" and sometimes stops these breakdowns in their tracks. But if an injury would happen recovery would be far quicker if prevention was part of our health regimen. Need I say more?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I have never been a runner but I can identify with this becuase I was always very active and did what I wanted to do physically without thinking about future outcomes, at least until I was in my forties. I would lift items way beyond my ability without regard, just wanting to get it done. My husband and I love to walk and hike but I didn't warm up for this either, just did it. Whether I was playing a game with the kids or exercising I would not warm up. I didn't see that it was useful. I just wish that I had had all this good information when I was twenty, and hopefully would have done many things differently. Now in my fifties I want to do what I can do to exercise but not burn any more bridges. So I am having these 'Ah,ha' moments now but a little too late for many of the activities I would still like to do. Anyway I am listening and will do what I can to be active and make my life interesting.
Thanks Kris,
Hopefully those that are reading this will understand that an "ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". Continue to Discover the Wellness in You!
Post a Comment