Not long ago, I woke up with pins and needles running down my left leg. I expected it to go away. But it didn't. It got worse. My left foot was throbbing and every step added to the pain. I had no idea why. In fact, although I often have some joint pain and my hip flexors are always too tight, I had been feeling really good up until this point. So good that Greg has been suggesting that I run the Broad Street this year. I have not said no. Although, ten miles seems... well I guess it seems like one mile used to.
At the beginning of my next session Greg asks how I am. I tell him something is really wrong. I describe all the symptoms and the strange fact that the problem is relieved somewhat when I where shoes with heels. For the first 20 minutes Greg stretches my hips and calves and back. Its not like a massage...I have to concentrate to keep from clenching. There is a spot halfway down my spine that is so tender I involuntarily recoil off the table. When we move on to the day's "workout" every exercise is precisely chosen to address today's ailments. Afterwards, I am setting up my next appointment, I can tell something is better. I wonder if my pain and numbness will recur as soon as I sit or sleep; but it doesn't. I am not completely "fixed" but I am so much better.
A few days later I ask Greg,
"What happened? What do you think is wrong with me? "
He won't say and reminds me that he is not a doctor. I know this. I also know I have surrendered myself to doctors who know much less. But, he concludes...'
"You are complicated Tricia. There is more than one thing going on here."
Complicated doesn't play well in infomercials or on magazine covers. Maybe that's why my going to those venues never really worked. Because portraying a simple answer may get people motivated, it may make the developers rich, but acting like the answer is simple doesn't make it simple. Maybe all along, I wasn't weak, or lazy, or a miserable failure...maybe everything I tried was.
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