First, my apologies for a lack of blog entrees during the past month. In addition to being a fitness trainer, I also work as a wilderness guide and kayak instructor. I’ve spent so many hours on the water that I’ve had little time for writing.
I’m always amazed when someone who won’t tolerate the smallest problem with their car or home will live for years with pain. If pain is stopping you from doing things that you enjoy, keep looking for a solution. Realistically speaking, there are illnesses and problems that can’t be fixed. But even something that can’t be fixed can usually be improved. Here’s my example.
I’ve had pain in the joint of my left big toe off and on since I was 19 years old. Over the summer, the pain became chronic and even walking was painful. I went to a podiatrist who I’ve seen for years and her proposal was to give me a steroid shot every 3 months. She also recommended a running shoe with gel built into the sole. The gel shoe actually made my pain worse and treating the symptom with 4 cortisone shots a year didn’t make sense to me. Luckily, I found another podiatrist who happens to be an avid runner. He took a closer look at the biomechanics of my foot, ankle and calf and suggested a stability running shoe and a soft toe separator to keep the joint in perfect alignment. Now I’m pain free and back to all of my usual activities.
Pain is never OK. If you are suffering, get a second, third, fourth or fifth opinion if need be. But don’t settle.
Takeaway: If you are vacationing on a large body of water and notice that the water is as smooth as glass and perfect for swimming, check for offshore winds. Many a swimmer or recreational boater gets caught by surprise when they find theselves "blown" out and away from the shore. Sometimes the most benign looking conditions can actually be dangerous. If you have offshore winds of 10mph or more, take care.
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