listening to your body... - Back Problems Message Board

victorita · 12-17-2004, 01:00 AM

I read that over and over again in many of your posts, and it has been the most helpful advice of all - so helpful that I thought I'd bring it up as a thread, and also just to thank you guys for your experience and words.

I think when you're feeling good and you can trust your body to cope with whatever you put it through, you may not listen your body. In fact, maybe NOT listening to our bodies may have gotten some of us where we are now (or helped get us there faster).

I am a month post-op from a disectomy.

When my body said "Walk around and show everyone how well you can walk three days after surgery" I did it.

When my body said "Today let's stay in bed and not walk much" I did it.

When my body said "Hey... lets walk ALOT around the house today" I did it.

When my body said "Hey! Work out your calf more so that you will walk more evenly and so that the muscle contraction in your back can relax finally" I did, and very soon got results.

"Take a walk." "Sit down on a bench now" "Go back home now"

"Get on the bus" After 20 minutes my body said "Get off the bus and catch the one that goes back home. NOW."

One Sunday morning, my body said "Take the bus and go to that cool open air market" I said, okay, and we went. After two hours, my body said "Go home now in TAXI" so I went.

After having several outings in several days (at my body's request) my body said "Okay, let's stay home today and do dishes" and again, I was rewarded.

By now my body makes simple requests, requests that are more similar to my pre-surgery pre-hernia life.

Thinking about things, I am still amazed that everytime I did what my body seemed to request of me I was rewarded. It usually took me a day or two to fully recognize the request ... but I always saw results.

Anyone have any comments? Have you found it difficult to "listen?" Have you gotten good at it? Have you noticed a difference between what your doctor tells you and what your body tells you?

(PS - I live in Mexico City, so public transportation and taxis and open air markets are just like... well, driving to the supermarket or the mall)

beachgirl01 · 12-17-2004, 01:21 AM

Hi there,
I find that to be an interesting interpretation and one in which I do agree with and can relate to. I just made a post in regards to Medial Branch Block and my opinion on it was that i didn't like it because it's something that blocks the pain and therefor does you no good because I feel that your body tells you more than you think or could ever imagine and it's just a matter of being able to interpret it. Your body feels pain for a reason and if you choose to block it than I feel as though you are taking a huge chance at making things worse for yourself. You have to listen to your body, don't push yourself to the extreme, don't ignore the pain, don't block the pain, take care of it right away. And yes, most importanly listen to what your body is telling you. I suppose in some situations you do have to push yourself (PT) but I think you come to know where your boundries are rather quickly. I found your post interesting and it when it comes to something like this I think people need to hear it every now and then, it's encouragment. Sometimes I doubt myself and hearing this reminds me that no matter what certain people or doctors say, it's all about the way I feel. Take care. And good luck with the rest of your recovery. Kristy.

Rhonni · 12-17-2004, 02:39 AM

Nice post. I agree. Gotta let our body do what our body naturally wants to do and that is heal itself. Can't do that if we don't recognize and listen to the signals it tries to tell us.

SpinalMalady · 12-17-2004, 10:12 AM

victorita, Kristy, and Hunni:

Well I'm LISTENING to my Body today! My Problem is I'm not sure what it's tell me.... You can see my last post at "When can I take a Walk?"
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?p=1378660#post1378660

I'm SCARED right now....

Hunni, and Kristy, I know you've been thru a lot, and victorita, seems that you have been as well.... Could you help ease my mind that what is going on with me right now is just normal...and that I didn't do anything wrong....

I don't feel HORRIBLE, I just feel "echos" of the pre-surgery pain...and since this is the first time....I'm not sure whether I should "work thru it" or take the day off and take it easy. Yesterday was my first day to walk out of doors, and there is a slight incline in the street...not a hill, just an incline...and I feel it today....in my back, and in the hamstring,...the same place I had

I'm guess I'm being a baby...I just need some re-assurance....Sorry to be so pitiful...But I made a promise to myself that I would do nothing that would compromise the Success of this surgery!

Thanks for listening!

Bg

Rhonni · 12-17-2004, 10:28 AM

I think post-surgery anxiety is pretty normal. It does concern me that the pain "echoes the pain of pre-surgery". Does it feel the same as pre-surgery or just hurts, but not the same kinda pain?

Have you been given any mild exercises to do (knee lifts, leg extensions, etc?) How many weeks post-op are you again? (I lose track of everyone).

I'm thinking if yesterday was your first day out.. and you walked, especially with a slight incline, your muscles are screaming at you today! Could even be a little tighter tomorrow.

If it were me, I'd take it easy today but still try to sit in a straight back hard chair and do some knee lifts, leg extensions. Just keep moving. Rest mostly, try to relax your back, but don't stop moving.

I'd give it until next week. If you don't notice relief, I'd call the doctor.