I often hear people say:
I'm hurting all over and it seems to get worse the older I get
I'm really feeling my age today
The golden years are a little tarnished
My joints tell me when the weather is changing
I wish I could move like I use to
I think it's just going to get worse
It's because of my age . . .
When it comes to persistent pain, the most common years to have it is during the most busy times of our lives (when we are raising kids, holding down full-time jobs, and stressed to the max with so many activities we can't waive a stick at all of them). This is when we first begin to experience pain without injury. How we respond to this will determine its intensity and duration. The tough thing is, most of us respond in unhelpful ways; either ignoring or avoiding it. Both of these methods can provide temporary relief, but in the long run, they result in worsening symptoms.
So, what's the ideal time to take your pain seriously and begin receiving help to get it under control? Just like planting a tree, the best time to do so was 5 years ago. Since we can't go back in time, the next best time is right now. So many of us push aside the aches and pains we have when we are under the most stressing times, thinking it will get better if we just ignore it or when we have time to relax. Newsflash, that day never comes. In the long run, we may never learn how to respond to our pain in a healthy way on our own.
Age is not a predictor of worsening pain. What's the difference between the octogenarians who are running marathons and those who can't walk the length of a block or stand long enough to prepare a meal? We don't all age the same, but something that is universal is that if you stop moving, you will age faster. Why is movement so important? The body is built to move; so is the brain. As we stop moving, blood flow decreases, endorphin production lessens, and pain may increase due to concern by the nervous system that we are in real trouble because we have cut back on activities we once loved to do.
That brings up another topic. What if you haven't slowed down, but have noticed increased soreness after doing your typical activities? This could be due to the fact that our bodies don't heal as quickly as they did 15 years ago. Calming down the nervous system will ensure you are able to stay active as your body heals instead of feeling like you have to stop and wait for your body to heal before continuing on. It's not about ignoring your symptoms as much as it is being aware that the sensations you are having may not be a sign of injury, but rather a sign of sensitization. Would you like to return to higher levels of function without fearing you are causing yourself harm? Would you like to get back in the groove of life quicker without medications or surgery? I can show you how. Give me a call to talk about your situation. I'm here for you!!
