Injuries & Surgeries: The emotional component of injury...things no one ever tells you will happen (PART 2)

"People Who Need Help Sometimes Look A Lot Like People Who Don't Need Help."

~Glennon Melton

This blog post really could be addressed to anyone recovering from an injury, who has experienced death in their life, or divorce.  The emotional landscape has similar themes amongst these three pivotal rights of passage (& yes, they are that).  Let me get some things immediatley out of the way that are uncomfortable and disconcerting.  No one told me these things would happen.  They just did, and they were unexpected.  I don't want you to feel the same shock I did, so if you ever experience any of the above mentioned transitions, you can expect one or more of the following to happen to you:

1)  Your heart will break more than any body part ever will
2) People who you thought would help you in your most vulnerable state don't
3) People who you never thought would help you in your most vulnerable state do
4) Your social circle will dissipate
5) You will feel alone
6) You will be scared
7) You will question your capabilities
8) You will transform into a new person (whether you like it or not)
9) You will not look at situations, people and circumstance with the same set of eyes again
10) If you're in the medical profession, you will become better at your job


Remember these things. 

I've always been drawn to male dominated sports.  I was skateboarding with the boys as a kid.  Racing them on bikes.  Tried to join the high school surf club in 1992, and was not allowed to (yes, even in the 90's).  The teacher who was the head of the club looked at me and said, "Oh, I'm sure you have better things to do than surf.  Why don't you join the cheerleading squad?"  So, that's what I did.  I would still bike down to the beach on my lunch break, and watch the surfers with envy. 

Surfing on the Oregon Coast

Here is something that I've discovered for myself, amongst disbelief, heartache, and confusion.  The vast majority of men are what I term "emotionally crippled."  From surfing, to "CrossFit," climbing to martial arts, they haven't done their inner work.  Rarely, do you find one that's "sat with his demons" in therapy, or sought after his own vulnerability.  This is something female athletes need to realize.  If you become one of the "wolf pack," realize that when you become injured, you (most likely) will be surrounded by a group of emotionally stunted "friends," who won't know how to support you through pain.  Often, I've tended to fall into the "sister" role of my "bands of merry men."  Driving "NyQuil" over to their house, at the first sign of the "man flu," checking in on them, when you don't see them in the line up, on the mats, at the gym, or at the climbing crag, etc.  But, as a female amongst a predominately male crowd, the chances of reciprocity are slim.  This is because your vulnerability mirrors their lack of coming to terms with their own.  Your injury reflects the fact to them that, they too, aren't invincible.  This, is something that shakes them to their core.  Its something they squirm with, emotionally, and don't know how to handle.  The lack of support for you will be painful.

The men, that I've noticed that tend to be the exception to this, are men who have been either raised by women, have only sisters, or are in the medical profession.  They've lived amongst and/or tend to be a bit more in touch with vulnerability, and less scared of it.

When my collarbone broke I was already working with a sports psychologist, weekly.  I was focused on training for "Masters Worlds," in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu, and sought out Melinda Halpern from "GRIT Performance."  Melinda's expertise is performance enhancement, and working through any mental/emotional stumbling blocks that can prevent you from performing your best.

I was grateful to already have an established client/therapist relationship with her, when my injury occurred.  Overnight, our focus together changed from performing at my peak, to daily tasks.  In the blink of an eye I went from feeling confident, at the top of my game, ready to bring that game to a competition setting to "What just happened to me?"  Melinda continues to be my weekly foundation of "You can do this."  She also offers a lens and perspective on the insecurities athletic injuries mirror in those around them.  Its been eye-opening.

I had one girlfriend say to me, "Almine, your collarbone is overwhelming to me.  I'm sorry.  I'm going to need some space from you when you're like this."  I was stunned.  Truly.  I couldn't get out of bed by myself.  All I did was ask her to help me out of bed.  She walked out my front door instead.  All I could think was, "Well, thank God, this wasn't worse than a collarbone break.  She would've been running for the hills."

My job as a health care provider is to offer relief, a listening ear, and support for people in pain.   You will find that people you know and trust are comfortable with you as a pillar of strength in their life, but not when you're weak.  Its a rude awakening.  This will act as a "friend filter."  It will clarify, in a harsh, clear, abrupt manner, whose there for you, and who really isn't, when the chips are down.  Its a painful realization, but it distills those people down, who are necessary for our life growth, and those who aren't.

For those of you who haven't been to Bend, Oregon, its an outdoor enthusiasts dream.  It's been called "Little Boulder."  It has some similarities to Boulder, Colorado, but on a smaller scale (& offers more affordable cost of living).  People move here for the year 'round outdoor life.  Mountain biking, kayaking, white water rafting, trail-running, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, etc.  Its all here in abundance.  What that also means is that activity is entrenched with friendship, and vice versa.  You see your friends, because of the sports you share.  When you're no longer able to do those sports, they virtually disappear from you life.  Its lonely and awkward.  They don't know if they should invite you to climb, run, etc., because they don't want to make you feel weird.  But, then you feel left out.  Almost like you did in 4th grade, when you didn't get invited to the birthday party.  Its a no win situation.  You social circle dissipates.  Its gets small.  And your happiness starts to shrink with it.

Climbing at "Smith Rock," Terrebonne, Oregon

This, too, is something I've been grateful to have Melinda to help me navigate, emotionally.  I didn't anticipate to what extent this affected me.  Most of the sports I do take at least you and another person to accomplish.  Climbing is the way, Jiu-Jitsu is this way, etc.  Now, my life consists of my head under the water in the pool, swimming, on a spin bike, or in a Pilates class.  None of these offer the social interaction that I'm used to, and that I value so much in the sports I do.  It is lonely, when you go from socially dependent sports to a "solo sport."  The "rules" change in your life about how to navigate friendship, when everyone else is playing outside.

The last thing I'll share some thoughts on is the pros/cons of social media.  I look at social media like water, like money.  Its neutral.  It can help or harm.  Empower or destroy.  Its in the intent of the user.  Its a beautiful marketing tool for the self-employed (like myself).  Its fast, free, efficient, and can reach large groups of people with the "click" of a button.  The "shadow" side of social media, to me, however, is that it has made humans "emotionally crippled," or "lazy."  We believe, sitting there, staring at someone's posts means that you truly know them.  This is inaccurate.  We all post what we want others to see.  Again, this is good for marketing.  There's nothing wrong with marketing.  Its how we eat and keep our lights on.  But, please make note:  staring at someone's posts doesn't mean you REALLY know them, know what level of pain they're experiencing, and is a lazy way of making yourself feel better that you've "checked in on them."  Know of someone, whose in your "inner circle" of your life whose in pain (for whatever reason)?  Pick up the phone.  Drop by their home.  Ask them what you can do for them (in whatever capacity you're able to help), bring them a meal.  Texting is barely adequate, and a small step up from nothing, but it IS better than nothing.  Don't let yourself fall into the trap of "emotional numbness."

Even saying, "I feel inadequate, and helpless, seeing you in so much pain" is powerful.  Its a friend offering their vulnerability back to you.  You don't have to know what to say or do.  I think someone holding your hand, saying that they don't know what to do for you is more powerful than the emotional "cop out" of saying/doing nothing at all.

All, in all, I would say this has been in the top 3 worst adult years for me.  Its been a powerful in-depth look at areas of my life that were "stuck," or "stagnant."  One day at a time, as I dig my way out of physical pain, isolation from friends and activities, back to re-discovering who I am, I build strength.  The phoenix rising from the ashes is a powerful symbol of what the emotional journey of death, injury, surgery or divorce is like.  You are not the same, with every inch you claw your way out.  You also gain exponential internal strength with every claw mark you make.

The phrase "BE MORE HUMAN" reminds us all that we are vulnerable...no matter how hard we pretend we're not, and that there's no cyber substitute for holding someone's hand, and bringing them a meal.

 

Injuries & Surgeries: The lows, real lows, mehs & fuck yeahs (PART 1)

"Never Be Ashamed Of A Scar.  It Simply Means You Were Stronger Than Whatever Tried To Hurt You."
~ Anonymous

This is a 3-part series.  Why?  Because injuries are multi-layered.  They're irrational.  Complex.  Throw surgery into the mix, and it gets even more hairy.  The fact of the matter is, injuries suck.  People try to make you feel better about them, through a coping mechanism of throwing new age rhetoric, spiritual advice, and inspirational quotes at you.  If you're anything like me, its just pisses me off more.  I'm already frustrated.  I'm not asking for a sermon, a "Hallmark" card, or anything else, except for you to acknowledge that its frustrating and it sucks.  Don't say you'll be there "for" me either.  You can't.  Its my journey, and mine alone.  What a patient needs to hear you say is, "I'm here with you."

Why?  Because, there will be many ups and downs.  Tears of anger, frustration, fear and sadness.  You cannot walk that road for me.  What you can do is be a listening companion when the pitfalls and plateaus occur.

This is something important to remember.  Whether you are a health care provider, spouse, partner, family member, friend, whatever...you cannot be there FOR someone.  You can only be there WITH someone.

With that being said, this first part, of the 3-part series is focused on the physical.  The other two parts will address more the emotional and  mental components, because they are real.  Very real.  For some of us, even more real than the physical pain.  Most athletes have a high pain threshold.  There's even a little bit of "hurt-so-good" that we all even get off on.  We have to, otherwise we wouldn't keep going back to our sport.  To an athlete, the emotional and mental are much bigger demons to grapple with than any physical pain.  Its why we're athletes.

But today, we will discuss some physical things you can do for pain, both pre-op and post-op. They're both equally important.  I'll also share some physical tips that have helped me.  Everyone's different, but over a decade in practice as both a licensed acupuncturist and personal trainer, have given me some insight on this topic.  I've treated it, on both the pre and post op ends. I've also helped personal training clients regain their strength, agility, flexibility, speed and power, when they thought there was no hope.  As a patient, I'm going through that rehab. process myself.  I'm no longer a health care provider, whose on the outside looking in.  I'm living it right now.  Its painful, frustrating, heartbreaking, and a long haul.  You have to search, everyday, for small successes.  You have to clap for those small successes when no one is clapping for you.  Its often an empty lonely feeling, and no one can sit in the fire but you.  You get burned, charred, roasted...and then you get up the next day and do it again.

PRE-OP:  Everyone's process is different.  Some people will be able to get into surgery the day of the injury.  I didn't have that luxury.  I live in Bend, OR. for multiple reasons:  originally, I moved here to climb at "Smith Rock State Park."  I'm a climber, first and foremost.  It has been a chunk of my adult life.  Its the activity where I truly found my power, my mastery over fear, was able to glimpse what I was capable of in extreme conditions, and could test my physical limits.  Bend is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.  If you live in another part of the country, you could almost think of it as the "Aspen," "Mammoth," "Telluride," or "Moab" of the Pacific N.W.  With top athletes, from all over the world, moving here for the outdoor access, comes lots of injuries.  And, waiting in line for surgery.  Sometimes for weeks, which was my case.  I was in excruciating pain for weeks, until I was operated on.  I passed out unconscious from the pain level, three times the first week, post injury.  It was that bad. One time I vomited, so hard from the pain, I ended up passing out, hitting my head on the toilet, and waking up in a pool of blood.  It must've occurred when I hit my head on the toilet.  I don't remember.  I fancy myself a girl with a very high pain threshold.  According to my surgeon, "You didn't break your collar bone.  That would be easy.  You, essentially, threw a boulder through a glass window, and shattered it into a hundred pieces."

How did I manage the pain, as I had to wait in line for surgery?  There were 20 mountain bikers ahead of me, all waiting for new collar bones.  "Everyone needs a new bike and collar bone in Bend," my surgeon laughed.  Sleeping became next to impossible.  Sleep deprivation only throws gasoline on the fire of pain.  I don't take pharmaceuticals, normally, but I know when they're needed.  I tried everything the surgeon gave me.  Nothing.  No pain reduction of any kind.  I was shocked.  I really thought the strongest pain meds. out there would knock out a "light weight" like me.  Not at all.

Finally, after consulting with my Naturopathic physician, I bit the bullet, and got some marijuana edibles.  I'd never taken edibles before.  I don't drink.  I haven't smoked pot in years.  It never really did anything for me, except give me a sore throat and make me feel lethargic.  I'm too active for that. Sitting on the coach, eating junk food, living a hazy life, doesn't interest me.  But, damn, was I glad for one tiny little 25 mg. chocolate marijuana edible per day.  That one little chocolate bought me 8-10 hrs. of pain free sleep per day.  It was truly a god send for me during those weeks leading up to surgery.  I told my surgeon I was taking marijuana edibles.  He approved.  Each state is different, but in Oregon its legal.

I'd never had a judgement about people needing marijuana for pain.  I've always voted in favor of it.  But, hell, if I didn't have a whole new level of appreciation for it now.  I also used the same 25 mg. chocolates for 2 days post-op, then nothing after that for pain.  Side effect free.

PRE-OP, Hurting In A Big Way (I can still smile while I'm in pain)

If you need this level of pain relief, let you're Dr. know you're doing it. I spoke with my LNP and she approved whole heartedly. There was nothing else they could give me for pain.  Go to a qualified, certified dispensary.  Don't play with strains and dosage yourself, unless you really understand the plant, and all the science of its anti-inflammatory benefits.  I have a graduate degree in herbalism, and I still don't pretend to be educated on this plant.  Growing marijuana, and the resulting pain relieving medicine that comes from it is both an art and science.  Don't pretend to know it if you don't.

I also went to the pool, every single day, from my injury to surgery.  Why?  Most people forget about the pool, and water's amazing healing benefits.  I knew that one of the side complications of an upper extremity break is "frozen shoulder," or adhesive encapsulitis.  This is problematic.  I treat it with acupuncture often.  Its better to prevent it, than treat it.  To have your arm in one position, day in, day out, in a sling or otherwise can create this issue.

In the pool, there is little load on the skeletal frame.  That means, if you have a fracture or a broken bone, even swelling from another type of injury, that you will experience relief in the water.  Just ask a pregnant woman.  She feels immense relief at the gravity being taken off her body, as she carries her own skeletal frame around, plus a baby's.  This is why, often, water birthing tubs can bring such relief for women in labor.  It takes all weight bearing load off her, so she can focus on the labor process.

For one hour per day, my body was free of pain in the water.  I also felt safe in that weightless environment to take my arm out of the sling and slowly, gently, move my arm in various directions, to prevent "frozen shoulder."  Keeping your arm in one position, 24/7, for weeks on end isn't wise.  A number of complications can ensue from it.  If you can, plan to be in the water, and move it slowly, every day, until your surgery.  According to my surgeon, I went into surgery with the best range of motion possible.  He was shocked.  He asked me what I did.  When I told him, he was amazed.  "If all my patients did that, surgery would look different."  I believe in the power of water in all ways:  taken internally, for fitness, pre/post-op range of motion, breath control, there isn't much it won't do for you.  My father taught me this.  He believes water will cure, or assist most things.  I think he's right.  As soon, as I was cleared from my surgeon, post-op, to get back in the pool, I did immediately.  Again, I'm ahead of schedule on where my range of motion should be.  This is because of the water, and diligent, consistency with both physical therapy and acupuncture weekly.  There's no question in my mind.  These three things are a magic combination.

PRE-OP

Some physical therapy clinics have hydrotherapy pools at the facility.  Some physical therapists even get in the pool with you, and assist you with various exercises.  If you have access to this, take advantage of it.  If you don't, perhaps speak with your physical therapist about what exercises he/she recommends you do in the pool.  You won't be sorry you did.  Once my incision was completely healed, and I was cleared by my surgeon to get in the pool, I've seen exponential gains, daily.

Acupuncture and physical therapy should be considered "non-negotiables," post-op.  Pre and post-op is even better.  I treat many people, who come in with their "tail between their legs," saying, "Almine, I'm here because I wasn't consistent with my physical therapy, and now, a year later, I'm in bad shape." Don't let that be you.  Do it right the first time.  Give you body the environment and tools it needs to heal properly.  Acupuncture makes physical therapy work even better, and vice versa.

And speaking of water...I've got news for you.  As a certified fitness trainer, with 6 different certs. in water fitness, I'd like to invite you to think "outside the box," in the pool.  Many people find swimming tedious.  "Almine, please don't tell me to go to the pool.  Swimming is so boring.  I go up, I go down, up, down...I don't like to get my hair wet, I don't like to get my face underwater, etc."  I've heard all the reasons why my patients and personal training clients squirm at the thought of getting in the pool.  Think on this 'lil "nugget" of advice from my pool loving father:  "Swimming is the one sport you can age with."  True story.  There is little, if any, downside to water fitness.  I do want to stress the words "water fitness."  If you want to read more in depth about this, you can visit another blog post I wrote on the topic:  http://alminewellness.blogspot.com/2013/04/water-fitness-why-you-should.html

There are many ways to workout in the water.  If you do enjoy lap swimming, and its a motion your physical therapist has cleared you to do, you can add a little fun to it by purchasing a waterproof iPOD.  Download your favorite playlists, and match your cadence in the water to a motivating beat. SwimOutlet.com has got a variety of them to choose from.

Waterproof iPOD for a motivating beat while you swim

Also, "SpeedoFIT" is a system of fitness that appeals to a "CrossFit" coach, like myself.  I like the high intensity movements of "CrossFit."  One of the criticisms of "CrossFit," and I believe its warranted, is about form.  Particularly, in the Olympic Lifting department.  I agree with this criticism.  You need to be able to look whatever system you adhere to/support, and be able to criticize it, also.  The water forces you to slow all movements down.  You have no choice but to concentrate on form.  Doing kettlebell work, at the bottom of the pool is not only difficult, in the way of breath control, it also forces you to work on perfect hip extension, glute activiation, and posterior chain mobility.  And, in case you were wondering, the added resistance of the water makes each movement even more difficult.

People have a strange concept that things in the water are easier.  It couldn't be further from the truth. They generally don't account for the added 15-25x more resistance than they'll encounter on land.  Its a full proof medium for fitness, with little to no injury factor.  Its genius for rehab., and beyond.  You can find some great ideas for water fitness at:  http://www.speedousa.com/speedofit

"SpeedoFIT"

Everything from kettlebells, resistance paddles, push plates, and barbell work can be found there.  I'd also highly recommend you check out your local pool's class schedule.  I used to teach an "Aqua Boot Camp" class, for years in Portland.  It was not an easy class at all.  That rope you typically see the kids play on at the pool?  Yeah, you climbed laps up that, fell in the water, swam sprints, did partner carry work, kettlebells, etc.  Many students couldn't complete one class, and this was at a top training facility, where elite "Nike" athletes trained.  The water is a level playing field.  Its improves everything, and everyone's fitness, no matter what sport you play.

More and more innovative ways to improve one's fitness, and decrease recovery time, are being discovered.  Recently, I went to Las Vegas to the national "AquaBike" training facility.  I met with the staff, discussed both rehab. and fitness possibilites, and tried out the latest water training equipment. For several days I ran and biked my heart out...under water.  Yes, you read that right.  The future of fitness is in the water.  You heard it here.  Throw a spin bike in the pool, and it'll feel like you're biking through deep snow.  An underwater treadmill makes a "True Form Runner"  treadmill look like a warm up.  They were incredible pieces of equipment that were both difficult, and eye-opening, simultaneously.  Again, emphasis, due to the resistance of the water, was on form.  Like running in quick sand?  It may not sound appealing, but the benefits are amazing.  Think you're a good "CrossFitter"?  Work out in water.  A slice of "humble pie" is coming your way, and it tastes good :-)

Aqua Biking  & Running In Las Vegas, POST-OP
www.aquabikefitness.net

Fitness is something I can't emphasize enough, pre-op.  I was limited in what I could do daily. Brushing my teeth was exhausting.  I couldn't brush my hair.  Doing the basics "winded" me.  I'd have to sit down, after going from one end of the house to the other.  That's how much effort it took.  To get off the sofa had to be pre-meditated.  It would send so much pain through my body, if I did it even slightly at an improper angle, my knees would buckle, and I would involuntarily fall back onto the couch.  The only way I figured how to do it, pain free, is with the "Turkish Get-Up" movement (see video).  How did I know that movement, and have it down pat?  From over a decade of "CrossFit."  Am I advocating you do "CrossFit"?  It may seem like it, but not necessarily.  What I am advocating is that you make fitness a priority in your life.  I had to carry heavy things, sometimes, when I was alone at home, with my "good arm."  If that arm wasn't in shape, I would've felt helpless, many more times than I already did.  Fitness is there for you, when your body is injured.  If you injure one leg, be grateful you have a strong other one.  Established fitness will help you feel capable at a time when you're at an all time low.

A Broken Wing Is A Sad Girl

Often, I treat people for their "good" limb, because the person was out of shape to begin with, had a surgery.  Then, because the other limb wasn't in good shape to begin with, they injured that one too, trying to do everything with it.  Now, we have two injured limbs.  A strong, flexible, cardiovascularly sound body is a machine.  It will "pick up the slack," when its injured.  You'll be grateful the rest of your body feels capable and strong, when one part isn't.  Fitness is preventative. Its also curative. Make it habit.  It will give back to you a hundred fold.


Another system of fitness, that I've recently embraced has been "Barre."  The founder of "Barre 3" was told by her physicians that after a serious injury, that she would never do the sports she loved again.  She could not accept that.  She sought out the best yoga, ballet and Pilates teachers in the world.  She combined the 3 disciplines into a fast burning, strength building system that has been amazing for my recovery process.  I love yoga.  I taught mat Pilates for 10 years in Portland.  I did ballet as a teenager.  These were three combined disciplines I could get behind, and feel comfortable knowing I would stay strong, without the high intensity impact.

To put hardware in one's body entails critical stages where the hardware is vulnerable to be jolted out of place.  My surgeon was serious in emphasizing this.  One martial arts instructor busted all 10 screws out, just by teaching his students to "shadow box" last month.  Several days prior to my one month, post-op appointment, a man hiking, came in with internal bleeding from his plate being jolted out of place.  "All he did was hike down a hill," my physician's assistant said.  "No backpack on either."  There are critical junctures where even lower body activities, such as box-jumps, jumping rope, etc. are out of the question.  The possibility of hardware coming out, while the bone is still healing, is still a high possiblity.  "Barre" was the perfect answer for me.  Lots of max static hold movements, while holding weights, makes for an incredible workout.  "CrossFit" advocates training small accessory muscles.  How many really do it?  Few.  How many know how to train them correctly?  Few.  Exercise such as Pilates, barre work, and yoga train your accessory muscles, force you to focus on form, and sweat buckets while holding awkward poses with complete balance.  Its pure concentration, mixed with strength, flexibility, and body awareness.  "CrossFit" is difficult with large motor movements.  "Barre" and Pilates is difficult with small motor movements.  Both are needed for complete fitness.  They're yin/yang of one another.  Train small and large motor movements, you have perfect fitness.

www.barre3.com

You can never do too much core work.  You can never work on activating your glutes enough.  My chiropractor speaks of "glute amnesia."  This is a correct term.  We overfire our quads and low back to make up for the lack of horse power our glutes need to be executing.  "Barre" corrects this.  I'm confident I will go back to climbing, martial arts, etc. with a stronger core than ever.  I don't think I'll ever stop doing "Barre" from here on out.  Everything about me feels stronger, more supple, with little possibility of jolting my hardward out of alignment, as my body heals.  Max static hold work is just as important as fast reps., at high intensity.  They both train your body and mind in different ways.  They're both necessary.  As Bikram Choudry says, "You're born with one of these gifts: flexibility, speed, or strength, but no one is born with balance.  We must all work on this, every day."

I want to give one last "plug" for something that has been immensely helpful for me, both pre and post-op.  That's "floating."  This may, or may not, be available in your area.  If you're local to Bend, you can go to "Float Central": http://floatcentralbend.com/

We're getting back to the concept of hydrotherapy, and water as healer, again.  Floating is a different way that water can heal you, other than the pool.  Sensory deprivation in a world of both audio and visual "pollution" is a welcome respite for the senses.  When my body was in so much pain I couldn't think, I would float in a epsom salt saturated tank in the darkness.  Again, the water's weightlessness provided relief for my tired, aching body.  The darkness was pure bliss.  Silence.  Peace.  The high concentration of epsom salts makes your post-workout epsom salt bath, at home, look like a warm-up.  They mimic the concentration after the "Dead Sea" and the "Great Salt Lake."  You couldn't sink if you tried.  The salt concentration is sheer buoyancy.  The saturation of epsom salts gave my aching muscles, that were trying to support a shattered bone, relief.  I highly recommend it.  Athletes all over the world are using these salt concentrated, sensory deprivation tanks to visualize a successful outcome, and give relief to both their body and mind.

Some people have difficulties meditating, and quieting their mind.  Sensory deprivation tanks are a wonderful "training wheels" tool to assist with that.  The quiet darkness is lovely, and forces you inward.  There's nothing distracting you from going within.  I'm grateful.  I began meditating at 17 years old. I became a bit "addicted" to it, to the point where my teacher said, "You're going to have to integrate back into the world, and not just sit here all day."  I love meditating.  I don't talk about it a lot.  Its personal and pretty private for me.  I'm not here to be a guru, or self help teacher.  There are great masters in this world here for that.

From an Eastern philosophy perspective, its best to seek out a "Mahatma," or great soul, for instruction.  It seems as if every new Western self-help teacher, who has experienced some hard knocks in life, comes out the other side, believes he/she is qualified to teach others.  I'm not a fan of this.  Its a dangerous path, from my perspective. I'm not here to teach people to meditate, give you an instructional on how to do it, or even say its your path.  I am here to say that silence, and quietness in the dark is something that everyone's nervous system can benefit from, in this sensory saturated world.  Particularly, when you're in pain (of any kind).  Sensory deprivation tanks offer 90 mins. of silence.  Give it a try if you need to rest your weary body.  I'm so happy I took the advice of one of my patients, and did.

My colleague, Dr. Kerie Raymond, Naturopathic physician, is a fan of the homeopathic, "Symphytum Officinale" for broken bones, tendon/ligaments strains, "phantom pain" from amputation, sprained ankles & "tennis elbow."  I've been taking this remedy, along with Chinese herb formulas, since my surgery to speed recovery, also.

http://www.homeopathyforhealth.net/2010/02/16/symphytum-officinale-a-homeopathic-first-aid-remedy/

There are always adjunct things to do alongside these suggestions:  essential oils, sauna therapy, compression therapy, etc.  I would discuss these things with your qualified team of health care providers, to see if they can be a part of your physical rehab. program.  If lavender oil on your temples helps you sleep at night, do it.  If sitting in the sauna makes you feel better (not worse) afterwards, do it.  There's wonderful options out there now.  I work at a fantastic athlete recovery facility.  I feel grateful I do.  Its state of the art, with the best recovery equipment in the world. I utilize that equipment, according to the instructions of my phyiscal therapist, Dave Cieslowski, from "FOCUS Physical Therapy," the best in town.  That, combined with the other above mentioned things should, offer you some tools to go into surgery with confidence, and to help you feel empowered throughout your rehab. process.

www.rechargesport.com
http://focusptbend.com/

Look for part two, next month on how to navigate the emotional roller coaster of post-op recovery. Its a doozy and requires honest self-inquiry, and radical patience.  Its is a lonely process, but an honest one.  You won't be the same person, when you come out the other side.  And, that's the point.

If you'd like further suggestions for acute injuries, you can go to a previous blog post I wrote:

http://alminewellness.blogspot.com/2012/01/acute-injuries-most-effective.html