Average Jane Feels Old

I haven't mentioned this up to now because I hate for my blog to become a repository of my whining, but a couple of weeks ago I had the distinct displeasure of experiencing what is colloquially referred to as "throwing your back out."

In my case, that meant my sacroiliac joint popped out of place on the left side, resulting in immediate and excruciating pain. What physical feat was I attempting when it happened? Well, leaning over in the shower to wash my left foot. Later my doctor would tell me that the shower is a common site for such injuries. Who knew?

I couldn't get in to see my doctor or massage therapist until almost four days after the incident. In the meantime, I could barely sit down or stand up and it hurt to roll over in bed. I was popping Alleve every eight hours like clockwork (including in the middle of the night) and slathering myself with Biofreeze.

The doctor popped the joint back into place and worked on the overtaxed muscles affected by the injury. She described it as a sprain and told me to keep icing for at least another week. 

Later that day I had an hour of deep-tissue massage that would have been incredibly painful if I hadn't just spent the last three-and-a-half days grimacing every time I made a slight movement.

All of the therapy helped immediately, and yet my left hip still hurts and gets stiff when I sit or lie down too long. With a mid-decade birthday coming up this year, I can't help but start to feel my age when something like this happens.

However, now that the dog is well again and my hip is much better, I think the key will be resuming our walks. I'll build back some muscle and, I hope, head off any future problems.

Now excuse me while I go apply some liniment...

Photo credit: Rob Swatski

Comments

[Blondie]

You poor baby--I feel your pain. I wish you good sleep and comfort. And some hydrocodone. (((HUG)))

[Nick]

"...and my hip is much better, I think the key will be resuming our walks."

Yeah; that will stave off the encroaching years. Wish I had thought of it some time ago...

;' )

[Keith]

Poor AJ. Know how you feel, but in my case, neck, spine and now a trapped nerve in my right shoulder