It has been some time since I’ve visited the blogosphere. The last time I contributed in the cyber community, I was optimistic and confident I’d be a regular blogger again. But alas, it didn’t happen, I’m sorry to say.
Despite my good intentions, it became physically and painfully difficult to put fingers to keyboard at the end of the day (after spending all day on a computer). You see, the episode of ‘lateral epicondylitis’ (tennis elbow) that I was absolutely convinced was improving, had its own agenda of recovery and this wouldn’t be accelerated no matter how much I wanted or willed it to happen.
From my view, recovery has been a slow, arduous process. Even after I had agreed to have a cortisone (non-steroid, of course) injection, which initially did improve the condition, I was not entirely pain free (which is what I expected). Twinges have hovered in the background, which was a reminder to me that the condition was still holding on. As time marched on, the initial relief I felt as a result of the cortisone, dwindled (much to my dismay).
Throughout the entire recuperation/treatment process, I have worn a brace to support my arm and elbow. Up until last month, I had religiously performed specific strengthening exercises but the pain hasn’t gone and I’m convinced, the condition hasn’t improved.
Pain is a funny thing. The longer it is around, the more companionable it can become. That probably sounds a little psychotic but the point is, when we become used to a certain state, it becomes the status quo and we feel less inclined to make a change. I’m almost resigned to thinking that the twinges of pain I feel in my elbow after working for long periods, are now the status quo.
Physiologically, I’ve adjusted accept that my elbow now hurts after prolonged use but I think acceptance is also a mind shift in giving us the strength to keep going and to push ourselves that little bit more. I’ve found that I can work through the pain to do just a little more. I expect this is akin to athletes who push just that little further each time they train, pushing through the pain barrier to improve their time or strength. I do think that it is the mind that allows you to carry on in a certain direction or not. Perhaps, this is a lesson in life to learn more about mind over matter?
Do you or someone you know have an inspiring story to share on ‘mind over matter’ for pain relief, triumphing in the face of adversity or succeeding against the odds?