A Pain in the Back

Last Thursday evening I went to a yoga class at a nice studio not too far from home. I’ve taken a fundamentals class there several times over the summer to try to improve strength and flexibility, with mixed success. But I had one more class left on my paid series, and I wanted to use it up.

Everything was going well for most of the hour-long class, with a nice meditation, sun salutations to warm up, cat-cows, child’s pose (I cannot do a downward dog because of the pressure it puts on my hands and wrists, so this is a substitution per one of the instructors), and a warrior two pose. Then our instructor had us move into a triangle pose, which is essentially a twisting side bend with your legs forming two legs of the triangle, one arm down next to your forward leg and the other arm raised to the sky. It was hard, and I couldn’t hold it while she went around the room answering questions. So I stood up.

And immediately realized I had injured my lower back. I was in considerable pain, to the point where it was very uncomfortable to walk back to my car. I chose not to say anything. I just wanted to get home and lie down.

Heat, ibuprofin, Tylenol, Aspercream, you name it, I tried it. By midday Friday I decided I needed to check with my PCP, and the geriatrics team recommended getting a lower back X-ray to rule out a stress fracture. I was able to drive to the clinic and carefully walk to the radiation department. The tech was sympathetic and I got through the procedure. Supposedly, it would be reviewed within a couple of hours, but no report appeared in my electronic medical record by the end of the day.

However, by Friday evening I was able to stand for about a half hour and help prepare dinner, so that was encouraging. By Saturday morning, I was feeling more mobile, though I rested a lot that morning and later afternoon. By Sunday, I was able to do my regular set of stretching exercises and drive into Boston to have a planned lunch with a friend and see my eldest daughter.

As I write on Monday, I still have some discomfort, but am basically back to my normal mobility. And the X-ray report came back negative for a stress fracture, though there are some age-related issues with osteopenia and thinning of cartilage between spinal disks. That would explain some of the low level discomfort I’ve had for the past few years. But thank goodness it wasn’t anything more serious.

And yet. For those few days when my mobility was really hindered, I felt quite vulnerable. The experience drove home the obvious fact that a strong back is essential for everything we do. I’ve never had back problems up to now, so I’ve taken my spinal health for granted. No longer. I’m not risking yoga again, but hope to get back to Pilates, which is excellent for strengthening core muscles and back support, this fall.

Meanwhile, I’ll keep tending my back and stretching and walking, for as long as I’m able.

Evelyn Herwitz blogs weekly about living fully with chronic disease, the inside of baseballs, turtles and frogs, J.S. Bach, the meaning of life and whatever else she happens to be thinking about at livingwithscleroderma.com. Please view Privacy Policy here.

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