Month: June 2021

In those days, countless prayers on Bob’s behalf, and his family, were lifted to the Lord, 16 months streaming heavenward.

In early 2020, when the earth dropped right out from below, aggressive treatment immediately began, with meaningful progress. By July, many hard-earned victories were followed by gradual, consistent collapse. Treatment took a wrong turn before the promise. From that second, much more fragile low, Bob and crew climbed for the second time, eventually achieving an even higher peak. We celebrated and praised God even more.

Unfortunately, this new pinnacle in outlook, form, and function somehow imploded, completely laid waist over a frustrating, painful, 4 month battle. This despite incalculable, faithful prayers and wisdom, knowledge and and plenty of effort through misery.

Engulfing physical and mental exhaustion accumulated daily. Secondary stacked upon third-order treatment complications, among other things, resulted in a frustratingly willow wafty posture and clompy leaning gait. Well…this lean was indeed accompanied by another, an even greater lean on God. The professionals proposed a fifth-line treatment that rung of -meh-. But hope and a faithful, willing spirit remained present and unbound.

From the lowest low came four additional weeks into -meh- treatment, along with a host of continued struggle, decline, and plain ugly grief on behalf of many. And Yet.

What was that? Progress? Significant progress, the first glimmer since late February, occurred in many but not all relevant laboratory markers. At this point, who is foolish enough to put hope in one lab series, to dig out from this heap? And again, two weeks later, more of the same, along with some shock, and some noticeable lifting of function and gloom.

There was great thankfulness with far more reserved celebration. There was renewed hope, but not without complication. Now, will there be less leaning? A realization struck Bob, not yet either comforting or disturbing. What is this attachment? This is all we know.

“Thank you, Lord. But please grant additional time.”

If watching kids wrestle and splash in the creek and catch fireflys under the dusk of summer solstice, then why not the grill and sulfur smell of the 4th of July?
If the 4th of July, then why not a quick trip to the shore, present with the family to adventure and play through relaxed dog days?

If summer, Lord, then why not the twirling crisp fall and smell of decaying autumn leaves and camp fires, the old time atmosphere of Farmers Fair, the hope and excitement of fall sports, and the community of fun and myth in Halloween?

If Halloween, Lord, then why not howling bare branches with a newfound appreciation of the idea of shelter and family, and the words and smells of a season and culture especially absorbed with the idea of thankfulness?

If a season of heavenly smells and gratitude, Lord, then why not a quiet Advent followed by great celebration, the true joy of such Good News? Why not the lighting search of two small green spheres beneath countable antlers, and fairy tale glistening crystals under the moonlight bringing all the earth to a silent stand-still?

And if, then, a celebration of the Good News and frozen perfections, then why not full bloom daffodils and tulips shoving through the canopy of dirty white, breathtaking of itself, also representing that greatest hope of renewed life and eternal, unconditional love?

If another spring, Lord, then why not…

The understanding was that it would never be enough. He and they would likely keep pleading. Time is one thing we have been given, though he has been taught to see it drastically differently.

Excuse me, God. Help me toward more peace, more patience, more endurance, and more contentment. Your will be done.

Now more than ever, Americans are realizing the tremendous physical, mental, social, and other benefits of regular physical activity. Approximately 25% of adults currently meet or exceed the exercise guidelines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

As a physical therapist specializing in the evaluation and treatment of injuries and movement related problems, I’d like to address another key facet of many studies examining this trend in Americas improved exercise habits. A few of those include:

· 25% of physically active adults report they incurred a moderate to significant exercise related injury in the previous 12 months. 

· In 2019, over three million exercise related injuries resulted in trips to the emergency department, and millions more less severe injuries occurred. 

· Higher intensity exercise is associated with more frequent and severe injuries.

· Repetitive overuse injuries due to the combination of both exercise and the day-in, day-out demands of life abound. It is my observation that the most typical problems are difficult to quantify for scientific study. 

Do we all find ourselves “between a rock and a hard place” here? At this point, I may need to remind you that sedentary living at the computer desk and on the couch comes with it’s own set of significant risks and problems! 

The solution to this dilemma does require some time and effort. Thankfully, there are relatively simple measures we can take to minimize the risks of being physically active, and keep moving and doing what is good for us, and what we love. 

Over the years, I have noticed patterns and trends among my physically active clients who suffer injury. At the root of these are our tendency to expect far too much, too soon, from our bodies. Ever since they existed, the far majority of mass-produced fitness plans and programs have been marketed to us in this manner. Unrealistic and short-sighted expectations, and eventual injury and burnout, may be some of the ramifications. 

Also, we all naturally and continually work at the areas of fitness we enjoy and are strong in while neglecting weaker components. And yes, sometimes accidents do happen, or we simply hurt due to nagging long-past injuries. Here are a few of the most common patterns that I have witnessed over the years. If you’re physically active, see if you happen to fit into one of these five generalizations:

· If you have lower back pain or hip issues like bursitis, tendonitis, or instability of the pelvic bones often diagnosed as sacroiliac dysfunction, you may want to temporarily curtail Zumba or other Latin dance type activities. They often claim to work core muscles, and to some extent they do. But this is encouraged to occur in positions that do not teach and maintain trunk and pelvis alignment and stability. This is especially unhelpful when it comes time to lift a bag of yard mulch or vacuum the living room. 

· Some love to lift a lot of weights! But all the time on the bench press or any number of weight machines at the gym would likely be much better spent working on strength activities that demand body control in proper posture, balance, and flexibility. Weekend warriors should not expect to suddenly jump, sprint, and more without preparing their body. If you are going to compete in middle age, spend the time preparing specifically for the activity. Nearly countless times over the years have I been asked questions such as, “Bob, what should I be doing for this hip flexor strain?” Of course I attempt to provide the best fit advice based on a number of factors. But ideally, such problems can often be minimized by building up gradually. “Bob, can we schedule some time for you to take a look at things and write up what I can do to be ready for the softball league in about 6 weeks?”

· Flexible individuals often focus on that component of fitness through various forms of yoga and other means. But please remember that the muscles, bones, joints and nervous system are integrated as a fine-tuned whole. It is entirely possible to have too much joint and muscle flexibility, which actually causes some loss of controlled mobility and increased wear-and-tear on congruous bony surfaces. Those who have attained sufficient flexibility benefit greatly from developing strength and body control under moderate resistance.

· Some are intensity hunters! They love the thrill of the runners high, the pre-workout slightly nervous jitters, the push into greater capacity, and the feeling and results that come with doing a lot of challenging work in a relatively little amount of time. These individuals often need to be far more mindful of recovery. Cycling through exercises and physical tests, and a week off for vacation is not nearly enough. Even professional athletes value and schedule drastically different phases of training and preparation throughout the year. In our 30s, 40s, and 50’s, we should not expect to compete against ourselves and our peers week in and week out without eventual injury, physical stagnation, and burn-out.

· Many using exercise as part of their weight loss or maintenance plan are in the daily or near-daily habit of doing lower intensity activities such as walking, light jogging, and various cardiovascular machines at the gym. This is a great. However, as the weeks roll on, it does add up to a lot of wear and tear on the lower body. Hip, knee, and especially foot complications such as plantar fasciitis abound. It is often well worth the time to consult with a physical therapist or qualified personal trainer to teach you various means to work up a sweat with total body workouts that incorporate the upper body. and low impact strength and flexibility components.

We can and should stay active and well by primarily doing what we enjoy! However, if we want to keep moving, we need to temper what we like to do with what we need to do. Long-term health and wellness often requires both what we enjoy and what we need!