6 Lessons from A Back Attack

Then it happens. My sensitive back, the one I stretch every morning, says No. Sitting becomes a problem. Getting out of bed is impossible. I give it Reiki, or an attempt, but the pain is distracting. I could have battled with the mind on that one, but I am too impatient. I have a paper due.

I am a sharer. I set up this website, Twitter, Facebook page, I share with gusto (as many of you’ve seen). Health tips, food news, photos, and quotes. I edit my manuscript. I go to bed between 1 and 3 a.m. My mind flies in the dark when I am in bed, thinking about how to bring people the message of heal the mind, heal the body.

My own body sends me a message: heed or here’s more burning pain.

Oh. I slow way down to get in the car, go down the stairs, and sit on the toilet. I take Traumeel and extra Omega-3, ice the back, go to Dr. Swan, my magical, mumbling, gourmet-cooking osteopath.

What do I learn from the back attack?

1. The body always wins.
I’ve read that when someone is out of balance in life or energetically, the physical symptoms are the last to show up in the ailing process . By then life can’t proceed as usual. The pain or sickness won’t go away if unattended. It gets louder.

2. The body tells us habits have to change.
No more late bedtimes. I’d like to live like a college student again but I have a high-schooler who has to be driven way too early in the morning.

No more writing for hours without getting up and stretch. Keep the spine and the neck straight when sitting.

3. The floor is our friend.
I stretch on the carpeted floor. Forward and backward. While down there, I ask to be connected to Mother Earth. I feel grounded. It’s a helpful state.

4. Must exercise on regular basis.
This past summer I biked for an hour at least every other day. When it got cold I wore layers of fleece and wrote everyday. I met a friend for a walk once a week. That’s a big drop off in physical activity. Exercising would warm me up and give me energy. Instead I constrict in the chill and look to sugar for boosts. I miss the sunshine but the light on the computer screen and its content attract me more.

I follow the wrong bread crumb trail and end up on Dr. Swan’s table.

5. When in pain, look into chakra issues.
Where is the problem in the body and what is the angst associated with that spot?

Externally I go on a mental joy ride of writing and creating without much rest. Internally, what’s up? My pain is at the bottom of my spine, the root chakra, which symbolizes survival, my ancestors; and at the sacrum, the second chakra, which represents creativity and energy exchange, like money. Hmm. I can write 2 more posts on each area.

What do I fear viscerally and why? Why do I disperse my energy and not give it to myself?

6. Admitting faults and vulnerability isn’t weak; get help when needed.
When the back expresses discomfort at the outset, I thought that I can pull through the pain. I had given birth. I am a Wellesley woman. I bike with the sore back and see if it loosens up. It has worked before. (My friend Cullen would say, I’m sorry. That is just stupid.) Looking back, it is stupid. I had this belief that I am strong, wise –I can’t fail. I’ve already learned a lot from past ills. I am even a Reiki teacher.

If I admit that I’m out of balance, how would others see me as a role model? I let my enthusiasm for sharing and making a career take over my mind and body. Finally I admit defeat and call Dr. Swan. (I’m still wondering why there is a fight between my will and my body. Why is there winning and defeat?) But, it’s not defeat, it’s self-care. After the first meeting with the osteopath, relief washes over me. I’m grateful for his healing hands and benevolent energy.

My back is better now because I take the time to take care of it.

“Mindful prevention is much more enjoyable then ill-health,” I write on the C2Self Facebook page and Tweet. I’m learning like everyone else on Earth School.

Lastly, a healthy body is also good money-keeping strategy.

Two books from favorite teachers:
Caroline Myss‘s classic on energy healing and chakras, Anatomy of the Spirit