20 Comments
User's avatar
Ororo Munroe's avatar

Weirdly, I tensed up while reading this. I was expecting a bigger shoe (boot, maybe?) to fall, like the pain was going to result in something a whole lot worse. I found myself doing those breathing exercises LOL and letting out a sigh of relief. So glad you're able to put your hands behind your head now. Also, Ryan sounds amazeballs.

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Haha thank you, Ororo. Ryan was seriously the best human.

Expand full comment
Becky Isjwara's avatar

Wow Ryan is a hero. And you're a trooper!

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Ryan was such a hero!! I hugged him on my last day. I could have cried.

Expand full comment
Olufunmi's avatar

I found myself arousing pity all through this note,🤦‍♀️but felt relieved at the end of it that you sail through.That reminds me of an inflammation in my right arm back then in college.Indeed,only the patient can tell,it’s always exhausting and breathe-taking.

Expand full comment
Emma Dorge's avatar

That damn PT table, been there many, many, many times. Glad you know you can find a way through the pain!

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

When I was in college I never had injuries and always thought the athletes who went to PT and spent so much time in the whirlpool were so cool. ... I don't know what I was thinking.

Expand full comment
Emma Dorge's avatar

I still remember watching the track team do ice baths and thinking it was dramatic 😂

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Bahaha soooo dramatic.

Expand full comment
Annabel Youens's avatar

I've done breathwork and I spend half the time laughing at myself and half the time loving the experience. It's fascinating and terrifying.

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Elizabeth! I'm writing about my experience with breathwork for next week! Excited to hear about your experiences with it.

Expand full comment
ZEROMICK's avatar

Another banger!

I deal with muscle pain, too. So this really hits home.

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Thank you, Brad! What has worked for you in managing the pain?

Expand full comment
ZEROMICK's avatar

so glad you asked -- E-stim accupuncture. Electro stimulation! 120 minutes facedown. But to your point, it's all about maintenance, stretching, good mind, and understanding that pain is just weakness leaving the body. . . .

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

OMG 120 minutes facedown... that's intense. I've done acupuncture before and would like to do it again, though never E-stim!

Expand full comment
James Bailey's avatar

“I got right in his face and spit in it.”

- Atta girl!

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

Haha do not recommend it!

Expand full comment
James Bailey's avatar

I read and then commented quickly as I went into kid zone - lunches, hair braiding, school drop off etc. I’m so glad you are relatively pain free and took the time to share your experience with us. I’m not in the same boat as you were. Others might be, and I may well be someday and will have an approach now. 🙏.

Expand full comment
Emma Dorge's avatar

The 'kid zone' so good, James!

Expand full comment
Charlie Bleecker's avatar

The hair braiding! Love it. Thank you, James. I think physical therapists are wizards, and too often, doctors do not point us to them.

Expand full comment