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The Wisdom of Pain
Pain is always a wake-up regarding our health, and arthritis is no exception. Last week, I developed throbbing pain in my left foot (of all places) that made me limp(and howl) each time it touched the ground.
As we age, the things that we take for granted have new meaning. Without my feet, I can’t walk. If I can’t walk, I can’t exercise. Or dance. Or go on a slamming vacation I planned with family members next year. I had to rectify this problem QUICKLY without panicking. Over-the-counter pain meds provided little relief, so my left brain went into high gear.
Was it gout? Unlikely because neither my big toe nor foot was red or inflamed. Circulation problems? Yes and no. I have documented circulation issues, but I felt my foot’s pulse (and breathed a sigh of relief). Dehydration? Yes, so I consciously drank eight glasses of water with some but not complete relief of pain. Diet? Hhmm. For the past three weeks, I thought about my diet that included cheese and a particular brand of corn chips that alleged to be organic. I Googled inflammatory foods, and cheese was on the list. I refrained from eating cheese and chips for the next two days. I also started doing 10-minute Yoga exercises the first thing in the morning, right after my meditation ritual. Although I am not fond of exercising, I yielded to the wisdom of my body that painfully informed me of the things it needed (water, exercise…
