The first thing on my agenda is something that has been on my mind a lot over the last few years–feeling good. I love fitness, especially weight lifting. The post-workout feeling of a hard cardio session is also decent. (Doing the cardio, especially if it is hard and boring, is the not so fun part.) But what I am talking about her is feeling good all the time. This is where I take action to deal with joint pain and all the joys of getting old.
Years ago my doctor sent me to a knee specialists who sent me to a physical therapist after an examination and an MRI. We thought I had torn meniscus, but lucky me, it was mostly a muscle imbalance and an IT-band issue. I received physical therapy and a list of stretches, hip strengthening exercises, and foam rolling to do regularly.
Sadly, I have not done my part and it has been years since I went to the physical therapist.
To add to my woes, I think I have a pinched nerve in my upper back where I subluxated vertebrae in my upper back a very long time ago. The low grade, nearly constant pain is annoying. I also understand it is aggravated by bad posture, reading or watching my phone too low, primarily.
I refuse to give up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or lifting weights. Today I have started a routine of joint mobility first thing in the morning followed by static stretching as I watch BJJ instructional videos (today was Saulo Ribeiro ½ Guard: Freestyle Revolution). Later I will do my foam rolling and IT-band stretches, and strength training. Maybe cardio as well; that might need to wait until tomorrow.
As part of my joint mobility, I broke out my DIY Indian Clubs and loosen up the shoulders. I forgot how effective this can be if done right.
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