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Pain is an Alarm

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.” – Muhammad Ali

Healing hurts. Ever have an injury? Doesn’t feel good when it occurs nor during the course of healing. Pain serves as a teacher requesting rest. The rest allows for relaxation of the tissues increasing the flow of healing products into the area. Once stable then movement carries out the rest of the healing. Similarly, movement produces pain. Directed movement further signals repair and healing. Over time, the health of the injury is restored and life goes on. 

Pain can strike at any point in life. Physical, emotional or spiritual. Any of these areas can bear the gift of pain. At least in my life pain has been a gift. The gift began around the age of 14 in my low back. Eventually, I had lumbar surgery first in 1998. Again in 2008. I had learned to live with pain, never believing it would be possible to be pain free again. Pain carried a very valuable lesson that I had missed to that point. Pain was trying to teach me to strengthen my core. Following the last surgery I became more intentional about movement. Yet, it was not until Covid that I finally learned the lesson it was attempting to teach me through the years.

The human body is such a dynamic, complex structure. It requires use for maintenance. Despite being relatively active my entire life I had neglected to manage my core. I had been focused on maintaining shape primarily for aesthetics. I came to realize the value of core strengthening through my yoga practice. Being in lockdown afforded me the opportunity to take on a new challenge. Guided by a video production for 30 days I became fascinated with this form of movement. 

Once gyms opened up I was well addicted to yoga. Haven’t been back to the gym. For the first time since I was fourteen I do not have lower back pain. The irony is I treated lower back pain my entire career. How could the answer be so simple yet elude me? The core begins with the diaphragm. Diaphragm breathing helped me connect with this most powerful breathing muscle. Then came the bandhas. Intentional muscular contractions. It was through these intentional contractions and a form of breath work known as Kapalabahti breathing that I learned to connect with my transversus abdominal muscle. 

The transversus abdominis muscle is the deepest core muscle. Consider this muscle as an indwelling back brace when engaged properly. I began to notice through these muscular locks and breathing practices that my sitting posture began to improve. This helped me gain the awareness of how poor my sitting posture had become over the years. My yoga practice continued to expand with this newfound inner strength and stability. Each movement was intentional, aimed at engaging the transversus abdominis and supporting my spine. It wasn’t just about doing the exercises but about doing them correctly, with mindfulness and precision. I realized that proper form and consistent practice were key to building a resilient core that could support my body in all its activities.

This journey of healing and strengthening taught me the importance of listening to my body. Pain is not merely an inconvenience to be ignored or masked with medication. It is a signal, a communication from our body telling us that something needs attention. By tuning into these signals and responding appropriately, I was able to heal. This principle applies not only to physical pain but also to emotional and spiritual discomfort. Paying attention to these signs and addressing them can lead to profound healing and growth.

Mindfulness has continued to be a staple in my daily life. Whether practicing yoga, sitting at my desk, or simply walking, I focus on being present and aware of my body and breath. This mindfulness practice helps reduce stress and anxiety, which in turn has a positive impact on my physical health. I found that the more I practice mindfulness, the more connected I feel to my body and the better I am able to manage pain and discomfort.

Yoga and mindfulness also taught me the value of patience. Healing is not an overnight process. It requires time, consistency, and a willingness to endure discomfort. There were days when I felt frustrated and wanted to give up, but I reminded myself that every small step was progress. Over time, these small steps added up to significant improvements in my strength, flexibility, and overall well-being.

Through this journey, I developed a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human body. Despite the years of neglect and injury, my body responded to care and attention with remarkable healing. This resilience extends beyond the physical; it is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity and thrive. We are stronger and more capable than we often realize, and with the right mindset and practices, we can achieve the impossible.

Alex
July 29, 2024
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