It Might Be Simpler Than We Think
A few months ago, I couldn’t sit in the car for more than an hour without pain setting in.
That may not sound like much — but when driving is how you earn a living, it matters.
If you’ve been following along, you know I drive for Uber. I had to give up my business — and any hope of a regular job — after many years of struggling physically. I just couldn’t do it without relapsing.
Uber has allowed me to work when I can.
But over the past year, I developed severe bursitis in my hip — my gas-pedal leg.
I’m sure it’s from my disease, even if it’s not directly related. (My rheumatologist says probably not. 🤔)
When you walk differently than you did when you were well, it throws everything off.
And pain is the result.
Anyhoo, I went to the rheumatologist about it.
He, of course, wanted to give me a shot.
Okay then.
As they lather up my hip with iodine, he lists off all the side effects.
I say, “Wait!”
“What?”
“Death?”
“Stop.”
“Isn’t there a stretch or some type of physical therapy I can do?”
He says, “Of course.”
Long story short, I’ve been doing two simple stretches for months now — with great success and very little pain.
I also use Voltaren Arthritis Gel.
It’s nearly disappeared.
It only takes two minutes, and after only a month, the pain was almost gone.
Isn’t that crazy? I was set up for a cortisone shot — and didn’t need it.
And let’s be honest. I had a cortisone shot before for tennis elbow, and it definitely didn’t work. Years went by with nothing but pain.
What was the solution?
My chiropractor did two adjustments to my back and hit my elbow with a rubber hammer a few times to break up the inflammation.
And my car wreck? Those three back fractures and the burst between L4 and L5.
Yeah, that was stretching too.
It’s amazing.
That’s what it was — is — merely inflammation.
Myositis is a muscle inflammatory disease.
If I’m having a hard time standing up from a seated position, it’s not always weakness. My knees are inflamed and sore.
And then, after a few stretches, miraculously, I feel better.
The pain subsides, and I forget about it.
Isn’t that amazing?
I think so.
It’s funny — originally I always thought it was the lack of strength in my thigh muscles.
Because they are weak.
Yet last year, when I told my doctor about the pain from standing up, he immediately said it was probably my knees.
“Really?”
“I thought it was the weakness?”
“Yeah,” he said. “It’s more likely your knees — and of course in combination with the weakness.”
He was right.
In my opinion — and definitely my experience — the solution is almost always stretching.
It’s my key. 🗝️
Alongside exercise, drinking lots of fluids, and eating the right things.
Don’t take my advice — ask your doctor.
Get a plan.
Go to physical therapy.
Learn what you can do for yourself at home.
And remember, you don’t have to be sick or in pain to need physical therapy. It’s good for everyone.
It is, without a doubt, the foundation of my successes.
Plus, of course, the most important factor: a positive attitude and a willingness to believe it’s actually possible.
It’s amazing how only a few minutes of stretching every morning can have such a large impact on my overall health.
So my advice is simple:
Don’t delay.
It’s easier than you could ever imagine.
Get to work.
Get moving.
Get flexible.
And maybe you’ll find the relief you’re seeking.
