Quick Link

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/05/11/a-memory-for-pain-stored-in-the-spine/

Turns out our memories of pain are stored in the spine. The "too long, didn't read" for the article is this: when we are hurt, a chemical in our brain and spine remember the pain and even after the initial injury is over, the area will often remain sensitive long after the fact.

This doesn't surprise me. I've read in my research that our bodies remember pain. Currently I have no pain or injury, but my right hip is still so tight I can't sit indian-style or cross my right leg over my left knee. It remembers how weak my back was and it overcompensated by becoming tight to protect my joints and hold my weight. So even though its support is no longer necessary, it remembers and won't release just yet. While I haven't tried it (unfortunately the practice is expensive and not covered by insurance) ROLFing is a practice which takes this idea and tries to erase that memory. Think very deep tissue massage and chiropractic work combined, and that is my understanding of what ROLFing is. I love the idea of being able to erase that memory of injury, of fully healing the body and starting fresh.

Another quick note is this:

I love to dance. I am not particularly good at it, but I do love it. Right before my injury got bad I bought a game for the wii called "Just Dance 2." Contemporary songs and dance moves and I can dance my ass off in the privacy of my own home. It may sound silly, but I was pretty devastated when I couldn't play my game so soon after purchasing it because my back simply hurt too much. I am sure the twisting, arching, jumping and shaking motions of the game didn't help.

Yesterday, for the first time since January, I was able to play my game. I danced for two hours. TWO HOURS. I was sweaty and sore. I had rug burn on the soles of my feet. It was the best time and one of the many times when I stop and think about how grateful I am for health.