So. It might surprise you, but I used to be quite the runner. Okay, so my mile times were never GREAT...but I would run nearly every day and would usually run about 2-3 miles. I loved it! I never did track or cross country because I'm not a fan of people watching me, but I would just rock out to my music in the garage and go long distance on the treadmill.
But when I would push myself too hard for too many days in a row, my right hip would hurt like crazy and my knees would ache. At first it would be fine after a day or so, but eventually it started taking close to a week for it to feel normal again. So we finally decided to go to a chiropractor.
Ah, yes. The chiropractor. That was where I first found out I had lumbar scoliosis and saw the x-ray of my spine that had all the right curves in all the wrong places. Honestly, when that picture first popped up, it was frightening.
But when I would push myself too hard for too many days in a row, my right hip would hurt like crazy and my knees would ache. At first it would be fine after a day or so, but eventually it started taking close to a week for it to feel normal again. So we finally decided to go to a chiropractor.
Ah, yes. The chiropractor. That was where I first found out I had lumbar scoliosis and saw the x-ray of my spine that had all the right curves in all the wrong places. Honestly, when that picture first popped up, it was frightening.
Let me just stop and interject something right here. There are people with scoliosis that have it way worse. Luckily, what I have doesn't require surgery, and wearing a heel lift takes away the majority of the pain in my hips and knees, but one thing I didn't account for when I found out was the fact that I wouldn't be able to run.
Well...I can still run, but my chiropractor has specifically told me not to. Running = high impact which apparently isn't good for a scoliosis ridden back and legs suffering from the effects of it. Yoga, obviously, is the suggested exercise.
Well...I can still run, but my chiropractor has specifically told me not to. Running = high impact which apparently isn't good for a scoliosis ridden back and legs suffering from the effects of it. Yoga, obviously, is the suggested exercise.
But I don't feel the same when I do yoga...holding tree pose definitely isn't as satisfying as feeling your muscles strain to complete the final lap of a 3 mile run. It isn't rewarding.
So! What is a good compromise? The Elliptical of course! Think about it...little/no impact on your knees and body. AND you get to work up a sweat by going the distance. It's perfect.
I mean, yeah, its not running. But...eh...close enough. And sometimes, all you can get in life is close enough. Of course, we would all love to be perfect and spot on all the time, but learning to adjust and making the best of a situation is part of life. It allows us to enjoy the moments that are not quite perfect, but definitely as good as it gets.
So! What is a good compromise? The Elliptical of course! Think about it...little/no impact on your knees and body. AND you get to work up a sweat by going the distance. It's perfect.
I mean, yeah, its not running. But...eh...close enough. And sometimes, all you can get in life is close enough. Of course, we would all love to be perfect and spot on all the time, but learning to adjust and making the best of a situation is part of life. It allows us to enjoy the moments that are not quite perfect, but definitely as good as it gets.