We all know by now that growing old is a constant battle to preserve whichever part of your body is causing you the most aggravation at the time. For me, right now, it is my back. Because I sit and read so much, it’s important.
I never really had a bad back (doctors would look at my MRIs and say, “Are you sure your back doesn’t hurt?”), but since the car crash last year, the thoracic spine is in open rebellion. I hate it, because I never used to have to think about it! The neurologist prescribed a big hard brace, but come on, you can’t wear something like that all the time — I don’t even remember it until I’m in pain.
Fortunately, I have some other stuff that helps, too — like a rotating accupressure massage thingy that I used to use on my neck and shoulder (because that was always the trouble spot from sitting and typing). Now all I do is let it drop down six inches and it pounds away.
And then there’s the big hard foam roller, where you lie on your back, roll over it and let it unknot you. (Which is a lot more challenging than it used to be, what with only one working knee. It’s difficult to get up off the floor.)
Anyway. Getting old sucks. It’s all maintenance.
