I have continued to struggle mightily with the pain in my right shoulder. It seems to be constant now, punctuated by little bursts here and there when I absentmindedly reach for something or jar it ever so slightly. Like many injuries of this nature, it's worse at night. When I reposition myself in my sleep, it invariably screams out and wakes me up.
I have seen two specialists and both have told me that the underlying problem is inoperable. The second specialist did say there is one surgical procedure that might offer some pain relief -- it works for some and not for others -- but this procedure does not address the underlying issue at all.
Of course, I do understand that there may be some cutting edge procedures out there and all I would need to do is keep trying out different specialists until uncovering the one who would recommend such. Unfortunately, my health plan is Medicaid (government-funded health coverage for the poor and disabled) and cutting edge therapies tend not to be covered. So, I'm beginning the process of wrapping my head around the fact that life, from here on out, is going to be more painful than before.
While I would certainly appreciate some relief from the constant pain -- it really drags on a person -- I am also very cognizant of what my Osteopath grandfather taught me about pain: it's the body's way of sending an important message to the brain! While it may get on a person's nerves, it is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself.
Pain often will indicate to a person that something is wrong. It informs us when certain body movements are not advisable. It warns us to keep more in balance and to avoid those things that cause it to flare up even more. More importantly, without pain in our lives, joy and pleasure would hold little meaning!
Modern society is afraid of pain. At the first hint of it, too many folks reach for all different kinds of drugs and medications. Whether legal or illegal, we're creating a flood of walking zombie drug users/abusers. Far too many people don't think twice about the side effects of all the pills they pop or whatever else they subject their body to.
Most of the legal painkillers on the market can cause liver problems down the road. A lifetime of popping acetaminophen (Advil) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for every little headache, muscle ache or hangover can lead to the possibility of serious impairment later on. Other drugs can cause serious problems with the digestive tract and other areas of the body. And most all of the narcotics available create serious dependency issues as well as other problems.
Cognizant of these facts, I certainly do not desire artificially to mask my body's way of telling me that my right shoulder is not how it should be. On the other hand, I don't want to spend the rest of my days wallowing in pain -- this causes side effects too! So, I find myself at a point in which I'm trying to ascertain a balance between these two extremes.
It will take me a while to get my bearings. For the time being though, I can tell ya that my shoulder hurts like hell and my failing left hip doesn't feel much better! :-(
I have seen two specialists and both have told me that the underlying problem is inoperable. The second specialist did say there is one surgical procedure that might offer some pain relief -- it works for some and not for others -- but this procedure does not address the underlying issue at all.
Of course, I do understand that there may be some cutting edge procedures out there and all I would need to do is keep trying out different specialists until uncovering the one who would recommend such. Unfortunately, my health plan is Medicaid (government-funded health coverage for the poor and disabled) and cutting edge therapies tend not to be covered. So, I'm beginning the process of wrapping my head around the fact that life, from here on out, is going to be more painful than before.
While I would certainly appreciate some relief from the constant pain -- it really drags on a person -- I am also very cognizant of what my Osteopath grandfather taught me about pain: it's the body's way of sending an important message to the brain! While it may get on a person's nerves, it is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself.
Pain often will indicate to a person that something is wrong. It informs us when certain body movements are not advisable. It warns us to keep more in balance and to avoid those things that cause it to flare up even more. More importantly, without pain in our lives, joy and pleasure would hold little meaning!
Modern society is afraid of pain. At the first hint of it, too many folks reach for all different kinds of drugs and medications. Whether legal or illegal, we're creating a flood of walking zombie drug users/abusers. Far too many people don't think twice about the side effects of all the pills they pop or whatever else they subject their body to.
Most of the legal painkillers on the market can cause liver problems down the road. A lifetime of popping acetaminophen (Advil) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for every little headache, muscle ache or hangover can lead to the possibility of serious impairment later on. Other drugs can cause serious problems with the digestive tract and other areas of the body. And most all of the narcotics available create serious dependency issues as well as other problems.
Cognizant of these facts, I certainly do not desire artificially to mask my body's way of telling me that my right shoulder is not how it should be. On the other hand, I don't want to spend the rest of my days wallowing in pain -- this causes side effects too! So, I find myself at a point in which I'm trying to ascertain a balance between these two extremes.
It will take me a while to get my bearings. For the time being though, I can tell ya that my shoulder hurts like hell and my failing left hip doesn't feel much better! :-(
Have you explored some mind-body therapies? Reiki, hypnosis, quantum touch?
ReplyDeleteResearch shows how zazen actually changes the brain and lowers perception of pain...a good book to read is 'Full Catastrophe Living' by Jon Kabat-Zin. It's a classic. In my book,
'Black Belt Healing', I use hypnosis and zazen to help martial artists manage pain.
Good luck...pain sucks, but it can be managed successfully.
Advil is ibuprofen is motrin, and I love it. Tylenol is acetaminophen, which I don't take because I also drink.
ReplyDeleteOn my recent trip, I found that all my pesky aches and pains were relieved by walking, stairclimbing, and lugging luggage, with a lot of good Chinese food and tea. (And occasional doses of iB.)
Movement is a great treatment for pain.
I had a foot massage in Beijing that was actually quite painful, it made me wince, but the guy was VERY cute...but afterward, my previously tired and exhausted feet and legs were so relaxed, so open, I slept like a baby. I am sorry I didn't get a second, and I am looking for a source of such painful pleasure now in Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteShinzen,
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention that specific book by Kabat-Zin. My mental health counselor recommended the same one.
BR,
Yes, you're indeed correct about my misstatement re the brand names of the drugs -- Twas a brain fart!
Movement can be great treatment for some pain, but not these chief two ailments. I am trying to stay as active as possible, but certain movements or too much is counterproductive, I've discovered.
Meditate on the pain. Focus on it. Wrap it in clear light. Set it aside and let it be.
ReplyDeleteI'm 60 years old, with arthritis pain in feet, wrists and shoulders from a happy, active life. Pain is my constant companion and friend.
We share Life.
Hayduke is right. This might sound crazy, but pain must be embraced and allowed to be.
ReplyDeleteCheck into Shinzen Young's work as well...his Pain x Resistance = Suffering equation makes sense.
Pain at a level 5 with a level 5 resistance brings 25 to suffering...way off the scale of 0-10. If you offer zero resistance...you get 5 x 0 =0. Pain, but no suffering.