Remember how I thought I had a broken toe this summer? It was definitely broken. It took a full two months to heal and is still slightly tender to the touch. I did that by walking into the bottom of our exercise bike on the way back from the bathroom one night.
Two weeks ago I tripped in the bedroom again. I was walking into the room to turn on the light, and I didn't see Ginger lying beside the nightstand. She's a black dog, you know? So I tripped and went down hard, catching myself in the belly on the wooden corner of the nightstand. I hurt the big toe on my other foot that time (thankfully it isn't broken, just "sprained") and also got a big purple bruise right above my navel.
Last January I fell while walking on the nature trail with some friends, and hurt my knee. I also had extensive bruising on the back of that knee that worked its way down my calf over the course of the next month or so. That hurt a lot.
So what prompted this post? This morning I was messing around in the back yard and decided to plant something in the ground I'd had growing in a pot all summer. When I lifted the second shovelful of heavy, moist dirt, I felt a distinct "pop" in my lower back followed immediately by painful spasms. It was so bad I wondered if I was going to be able to get myself back in the house! I was soaked in sweat and trembling like a leaf by the time I managed to get inside. I immediately got an icepack (a big pack of frozen vegetables) on it and took 800mg of Motrin. I've been icing it all afternoon. It was so bad I even took one of Gregg's leftover pain pills in addition to the Motrin. All that seems to have helped a lot. Still, I'm dreading tomorrow morning and what it's going to feel like after sleeping on it. And I really, really don't want to miss work....the district is offering a $2,000 bonus at the end of the year for perfect attendance. I'd hate to lose out on that this early in the year.
What can I do to stop being so damn clumsy? I'm sure this happened today because my muscles and tendons were cold and I hadn't really properly stretched or moved around much prior to breaking out the shovel. I guess I could be more mindful of that in the future. And more careful when I walk in the dark. Sometimes I just fall out of sheer clumsiness, though, and I have terrible balance. Does anyone recommend anything to help with that? Some sport or exercise that will improve my balance and flexibility?
In the meantime...I'll keep you posted in the latest edition of Times When I Hurt Myself. Sigh.
Are you left-handed, dyslexic or taking any sort of medication? If not, don't worry. I am none of the above but am also becoming more and more clumsy.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, and an antidepressant.
DeleteYou are young. It will correct itself.
DeleteYoga or Tai Chi are both supposed to be very good for balance issues. And of course they probably help to strengthen core muscles (yoga does for sure) which help with so many things. Sounds like you did really put your back into spasm. You might have to seek chiropractor and/or massage treatment. You poor thing!
ReplyDeleteGravity sucks.
I've considered Tai Chi but the local classes all meet mid morning or early afternoon. I suppose they cater to retired folks.
Deleteeeeek! gurl, you GOTTA take care of yourself! I would get some x-rays, then go for the tai chi. I lift weights to keep myself strong. if you are pre/post menopausal, you need to be strong more than ever.
ReplyDeleteI know! I need to lift some weights and work out more in general.
DeleteSorry to hear about this Jennifer. All I can say is - just be extra careful from now on.
ReplyDeleteI've got to do better before I really hurt myself!
DeleteChiro is your best chance of relief from the immediate pain and disability.
ReplyDeleteThere are loads of things you can do for balance, yoga is good, a personal trainer or physiotherapist can help with specific exercises for balance and general strengthening helps, too. It's good to see a professional for a customised plan then work on the exercises yourself.
My neurological issues mean my balance is terrible. My main solution to that is taking care. Putting lights on, stopping if there's something potentially in the way, using furniture, railings or a stick to help. I'm sure you don't need to go to that extreme, probably just go a bit slower and allow your brain to get all the information
I don't trust chiropractors. I have some muscle relaxers, which is my family doctor's go-to treatment, and plenty of NSAIDs.
DeleteI'm not keen on NSAIDS, myself. A bleeding gut is never a good thing and it's a very common side effect
DeleteYou can google up balance exercises to do at home, too. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI've considered looking some up on YouTube to follow along!
Deletethis is what my british patient calls a 'pillock' a sort of poor soul prone to all sorts of accidents and bungles.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm a pillock then.
DeleteSadly, I don't think there's a cure for this other than not moving around too much. I tend to fall over in the woods where there are low growing brambles or hidden branches.
ReplyDeleteI tripped over tree roots the last time I walked in the woods! I'll learn to be more careful....maybe.
DeleteI bruise, bang into things and fall a lot. Plus broken through the years 7 of my toes. It has only gotten worse. I am trying chair yoga now to see if I can move without hurting myself.
ReplyDeleteSo Strange I think I try to do to many things at once. Plus I have the little lights that come on at dark.
Good Luck.
parsnip
More nightlights would be a good idea, I think. We have a couple that come on at dark in the house. Thank you Gayle.
DeleteOh no! I'm sorry you're dealing with this! Hopefully your quick intervention will make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThe school nurse kept bringing me ice packs to put on my back today. It really helped. :)
DeleteBelieve me, I feel your pain!
ReplyDeleteMmmwah!! Thank you Mitch.
DeleteBalance exercises probably will help, but we can’t change the life around us and sometimes crap happens. I tripped twice yesterday but thankfully did not fall. It had to do with the brick walkway that was uneven. I could have kept my head down making sure of my step but then I might have walked into someone and something.
ReplyDeleteJust in case you did something to a disc, you should visit a doctor.
It's amazing to me how much I hurt myself and I was barely doing anything at all! I'll see the doctor if I don't improve rapidly.
DeleteI'm clumsy. Have been for years. My oldest sister tripped on a dog last year and broke her leg. Maybe clumsiness runs in my family.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Yes, tripping over Ginger wasn't really my fault. I thought she was in the other room. I sure am glad I didn't break a leg!!
DeleteBecause of my arthritis, I have a prescription for super Advil. it works wonders. As for the clumsiness? There's not too much you can really do about that, it's part of your inherent nature.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be getter worse as I get older. I need to make an effort to get in better physical shape. I'm not nearly active enough.
DeleteHope you get your back looked at soon, the worst thing you can do is straighten and twist at the same time and you also had the weight of soil in the shovel as well....always a bad result. Please give Yoga a go, it improves so many things.There are some beginners videos on Utube that you can do at your own pace at home to see how you feel about the benefits of strength, flexibility and improved balance.
ReplyDeleteI found out a couple years ago I should not take NSAIDS, they can cause stomach bleeds, etc. So I take Tylenol as needed, just something to keep in mind. Sorry you are having all those falls, I hope you have filled your quota and will fall no more.
ReplyDelete