Welcome to Day 29 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Yesterday, I wrote about how I hit my Nourishing goal by enjoying four portions of Nature’s Candy each day. In today’s blog, I focus on how I have incorporated daily stretching routines into my Self-caring goal to rehab and prevent back injuries.
The Curse of the La-Z-Boys
When it was time for me to leave my parents’ house, I moved in with my very good friend and fellow Pointless champion, Jonny. We had spoken about living together since university, even going so far as to identify the chairs that our bachelor pad would have…
We had our eyes on a burgundy set of La-Z-Boys, picturing a Joey and Chandler lifestyle.
When it came time to move in, one of the first things we did was sign up to buy our chairs on finance. For just £30 per month, EACH… for FIVE YEARS, our bachelor pad would be almost complete, needing only the pool table that we would go on to buy with our Pointless winnings.
Our La-Z-Boys were great, offering a comfortable seat, a distinguished gentleman vibe, and a surprisingly good place for a night’s sleep.
It was only when we began to work at home every day that we realised that the price we were paying was more than the combined £60 per month… for five years…
The Curious Case of the Bad Back Brothers
It’s hard to say when the Curious Case of the Bad Back Brothers began. All I know for certain is that spending at least eight hours a day reclining on a La-Z-Boy while typing on our laptops contributed to prolonged periods of back injuries that followed.
We both developed lower back pain. Dull aches became the norm, often accompanied by sciatic nerve pain. I would struggle to get up to go for a walk, only to find myself stiff and in pain soon after my return.
Despite the pain, I continued living as I had been. Going for long walks, lifting weights, and even skiing made the issue worse until it got to the point where the simple act of standing up on the Metro made a disc slip in my lower back.
It all came to a head when I helped move a house. After a few hours of moving things to and from the van, my disc ruptured. I ended up lying on the floor, singing through the pain as I did what I could to keep up my spirits.
For the next few months, I did what I could to get through each day. I needed painkillers, a back brace and regular icing to keep myself remotely mobile. I only started to turn the corner when I introduced daily stretching into my routine. Day by day, I was able to relieve the pain and regain my mobility.
Today, I continue to stretch every day, believing in the motto ‘prehab over rehab’.
While I still occasionally have back pain, it is nothing compared to what it was, and I have learned to love my daily check in on my mat. By making this act of self-care a daily habit, I have found the answer to the Curious Case of the Bad Back Brothers.
Call to Action!
Think of any health issue that you currently have, have had in the past, or may be on the verge of having in the future. Is there anything that you can do each day to relieve your suffering or prevent issues in the near future? Remember, prevention is better than cure.
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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