It's Back!

It's back.  My lower back has gone out again.  It's my back.  It appears to be sciatica.  I am sorry but this is not fun.  Second time in a month.

I am trying my best to treat my back like an extra-special VIP.  As if my back had turned into Sean P. Diddy Puffy Combs or something.  I would offer to serve it some classy champagne if it would help.

I am taking my homeopathic go-to, Arnica.  I am taking naproxen at night.  And I am alternating ice and heat.  I went yesterday and got a great massage. And I am trying to rest my back all I can.  So I am trying to be really on top of things.

Anyhoo, today I got into my bookshelves of complimentary and alternative medicine books to see what else I could be doing.  One recommendation was to get lots of potassium, so I will certainly do that.  There were some great tips on accupressure points I should be working and other vitamin and supplements.  But here is some information I was surprised at:

"Activities that are good for the back include swimming, cycling, walking, and rowing."  Rowing?  Really?  I don't hardly think so.


Then it further states: "Avoid the following activities: Baseball, basketball, football. The quick responses needed for these sports involve sudden twisting and jumping motions."  Imagine that.  Jumping and twisting motions needed for basketball.  What kind of idiots do they think are reading this?


"Bowling. Lifting a heavy weight while bending and twisting puts strain on the back."  Does it now?


There were several others listed, one just as stupid as the next.  And then we get to the last one.

"Weightlifting. This sport is potentially the most damaging because it places great strain on the lower portion of the spine and back."  wtf???


Seriously?  If you have purchased this book you are obviously interested in doing the best you can for your body.  And if you are now reading the section on sciatica and back pain, what kind of a big dumb ass would you be if you were also indulging in light happy round of weightlifting?  I guess you have to prepare for every eventuality when you offer advice.

This is exactly the kind of situation that makes me think about the dumbing-down of the human race.  I will go and be grumpy now and look for some potassium, calcium and magnesium rich foods.  But I guess I will have to cancel my exciting day of weightlifting, rowing and shooting some hoops.  Darn.