#loungerpoolselfie
Today I tried a yoga class. I hate yoga. In fact, I am very passionate about hating yoga. I've done some hot yoga (bikram) classes that I don't mind too much. I mean, I like it a bit more than cleaning the cat box. I'd probably like it a lot more if it wasn't 7000 degrees, but I hate every other kind. I have no patience.
When I did this particular (Hatha) class, I wanted to burst into tears. I felt like this big awkward moose that couldn't do half the poses. I kept staring at the clock wishing that time would speed up and I could get the funk out of there. Apparently, yoga works for back pain, though. So I'm going to force myself to go back. I've tried almost everything and I'm running out of options. I'm (sort of) willing to look like a total dumbass in order to fix my back problem and get running again.
So far, I've had 4 sessions of physio. She's gone on to using the laser on my spine. It's completely painless and I get to wear these super cool (sarcasm) glasses. I have no idea if it's working or not, yet.
She also tried to put me in this traction machine. As she was strapping me up, I was like, "What the fudge is this machine?" It was supposed to relieve pressure in my spine.
She had me lay on my back and she put these wide blue belts across my waist. She placed a stool on the bed where my legs hung over. It was weird and awkward... even for me. Then she pulled out the bungee cord "thingy" (I hear that's the technical name for it) in the middle of the machine and tied it to the belt. Slowly the bungee cord would pull and I felt my back being pulled apart. It wasn't painful. It just felt super strange. The physiotherapist placed this red button thing in my hand and told me to press it if I got any pain and then she left the room.
As the cord pulled, my anxiety went up. ...and up. ...and up. Until I couldn't take it anymore. I hit the red button. The thing started beeping uncontrollably. The physiotherapist came back in the room and went immediately to the machine. She then looked at me and said, "What happened?!" ...."I pressed the button." I replied sheepishly. I felt like a wimp and was embarrassed. I was also very uncomfortable and there's been far too many times in the past where I didn't follow my instincts and then suffered for it later. ...However, I also know that playing it safe doesn't usually get me anywhere. I realize my fear was a little ridiculous so I may try again in a future session. Read: I went home and went onto the Internet and researched everything I could about this machine and found out it's pretty harmless and the odds of getting hurt is basically nil.
I'm doing epsom salt baths. I'm also taking glucosamine and omega 3 fish oils. I've been applying menthol analgesic gel, daily. I've been getting the physiotherapist to tape my back after every session. I'm doing everything that I'm supposed to be doing. (I have, however, laid off on the pain killers.) I just want to run again - pain free! My next step will most likely be needing an MRI but unfortunately, I will be sitting on a year long wait-list.
I've decided to take a week off of physio and work on all the exercises she gave me and continue with the yoga classes. As I mentioned in the previous post, I was going to list some exercises that the physiotherapist recommended to me. Here are a few:
Pelvic Tilt (Lying down)
Medicine Ball Squat (I use 8 pounds)
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