With all this Yoga going on and my flexibility peaking in my middle age, which is anywhere from 35-50 depending on how long I think I may live, l sustained an injury quite unexpectedly. I was at Jazzercise, heighing and ho-ing, inside my head (I just can’t bring myself to yell out loud in public) when I felt a cramping pain, like a charley horse, at the bottom of my calf. It was the first routine, a warm up, so I ignored it and continued for the whole class. Then it was the weekend and I thought no more of it. When I went back the following week I felt little cramping twinges but nothing alarming until we got to the third routine. Bam! Searing pain shooting up my calf.
“Something is not right.” I thought! I finished the routine and hobbled home. My leg felt stiff so I just walked slower and avoided stairs as much as possible, but my study is on the second floor, and anyway, movement is good isn’t it?
The next day I wore an elastic wrap for support and modified the class to low impact. On returning home I noticed my ankle had swollen to huge proportions and was bruising slightly. Not good, I thought. So I gave myself a break from jazzercise, it was Christmas and New Year, and contented myself with Yoga, which did not hurt at all, even with all the Down Dogs and Warrior Poses.
After a couple of weeks my calf began to feel better, I returned to Jazzercise and more pain. This was ridiculous, could one pull a calf muscle? I looked it up on line and my stomach churned at the gory descriptions of calf muscles ripped from their tendons, or something equally as gross, and bruising and pooling of internal blood. I had to take an alka seltzer to settle my tummy.
I followed the self treatment guide which told me my injury would take 4-6 weeks to heal. I had already been laid somewhat low for 4 weeks, but now I was back to square one! I used a heating pad, home made and filled with feed corn, that reminded me and my husband of popcorn at the cinema. I used it twice a day for six weeks and gradually my leg improved.
I have to admit that since I am middle aged, and so many people (the jealous ones…I know) caution me that as I increase in years I will lose mobility and flexibility, I was concerned.
But I now know, that’s only bad news for those who believe it!
I regained my flexibility with Yoga, I have more stamina than my nineteen year old dancer daughter because of Jazzercise, and my leg is finally allowing me to give everything I’ve got.
The wiser we get the longer healing takes. A good lesson in patience.
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
No comments so far!
Leave a Comment