Category: Rambling Again (Page 3 of 4)

The immortal word was uttered today. I’m in no doubt she was referring to me. “FIT” and how I looked it. The only question mark is surrounding how the different generations define the word ‘fit’.

Since I last posted, a lot has changed, but most things appear to remain the same.

Road user beware, I am sharing your tarmac, having started driving again after a short break. If I can make one small request at this point: everyone is fallible, especially when driving. So please be aware of your own mistakes and the mistakes of others, and should they occur, please treat others as you would like to be treated (like that’s going to happen). Anyhow, it’s great to be receiving tuition from a qualified advanced driving instructor and not feel intimidated or pressured that I might not pass the test at the end of it – because I already have (the basic driver proficiency test that is. And issued with the pink photo card licence, displaying a picture which looks nothing like me). The decision to take an advanced driver test is a way off yet.

The other thing is Tai Chi. I can’t sing its praises just yet, having only had 1 lesson, where we were taught the first, and possibly the most difficult moves. It is however, already helping to stabilise my flighty nature and re-establish more grounding energies. With any system that utilises energies like Chi, Qi or Ki, the individual needs to be firmly grounded in order to channel any kind of earth or spiritual energies. It is a process of calming the mind and reconnecting it with the body and the present. This also seems necessary to achieve the desired placebo effect some readers might consider this to be – a perfectly reasonable view to take in my opinion.

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool,
To weep is to risk being called sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk showing your true self.
To place your ideas and your dreams before the crowd,
is to risk being called naive.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken,
because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing,
has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn,
feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.
Only the person who risks is truly free.

by Janet Rand

For someone who doesn’t traditionally suffer, but knows many who do, this is a first for me! I woke up this morning, gently rolling from side to side to gauge the severity. Wonderful, no pain!! So I swivel around, feet now inches from the floor, and gently push myself up into a sitting position. Brilliant, still no pain!!! I’m really confident by now, so attempt standing. Here’s the cautionary warning; as body weight transfers to the feet and you begin to stand, you’re caught unawares by that sudden jab of lower back pain, immediately assuming the Tina Turner (more on that in a mo) which instead of continuing propulsion in an upward motion, your upper body is thrust forward. Now such an action would be perfectly acceptable if there was adequate clearance between you and the wardrobe next to the bed. Luckily I was conscious enough to realise I was about to do a Zidane, hence, narrowly escaped damaging the wood veneer on my wardrobe. Beware!!

So the Tina Turner. This is the traditional stance assumed by people with lower back pain. The buttocks are pushed aft and the upper body and shoulders are angled forward. Obviously the stilettos are not advised although the flouncy frock is optional.

If you find yourself adopting the Sumo: 1.You shouldn’t be standing. 2.You shouldn’t be sat at your computer reading this. 3.Your pain relief isn’t strong enough. 4.You need a better Osteopath!

Remember to do the exercises the Osteopath gave you.
Gentle walking is often recommended.
Hot and cold compresses may help.
I make good use of hand reflexology (charts available online).
Acupressure is another good complementary option.
See an acupuncturist.

As always, first seek qualified medical advice and any suggestions made on justapollo.co.uk are from an unqualified member of the public who is responsible for himself only.