Everyone experiences pain at one time or another and seniors are no exception. If you can, try not to look at pain as a cross to bear, but rather as a sign that something is not quite right. If pain is keeping you from doing all of the things that you love to do, it is time to get help.
We would be in better shape today if we had given more thought to preventing, delaying or reducing the onset of pain. We all know about the importance of diet, exercise and medical care, but even if you have taken reasonably good care of yourselves, pain happens. Chronic pain puts a serious crimp in your lifestyle.
A certain amount of pain is pretty normal, but when it infringes on your lifestyle, it is disturbing to say the least. You can either give up and stop having fun, or you can fight back. The first step, of course, is getting help. See a doctor. When you do see your doctor it is important that you be totally honest. When your doctor asks you to rank your pain on a scale of “one to ten”, really think about your answer. You would be surprised at how many people either say “it is nothing” or else declare that their pain level is “off the chart”, when clearly it is not. These little fibs keep the doctor from making an accurate diagnosis, and all you get is a prescription for pain medication. Everyone seems to think that drugs are the only way to get relief, but that isn’t always the case. Pain relief starts with a good solid diagnosis, a treatment plan, and keeping an open mind to whatever your doctor recommends.
This all came to mind because I have been battling foot pain (plantar fasciitis) for years. It started long before I retired and has been plaguing me since. I love to walk, hike, jog and play tennis. In order to do any of these things I always had to self medicate before going to the gym, the park or into the mountains. I was determined not to give up, but I suffered for days after each excursion. Cortisone injections, exercises and physical therapy treated the symptoms without getting at the root of the problem. The pain never completely went away and would come back with a vengeance. I went back to see my doctor again when I noticed that my sense of balance was deteriorating (it is hard to do standing yoga poses when your feet do not ground with the mat). Balance issues at our age are not a good sign.
I saw a new doctor and was pleased that she knew just what to do for me. Instead of offering me another cortisone injection she had me stand in front of her so that she could look at my bare feet. She looked at my feet facing toward her and facing away from her. She could tell immediately that my weight was distributed along the inside edges of my feet (pronation). She recommended Superfeet inserts and gave me a print-out of shoe styles and brands that would help realign my feet. Needless to say, my Christmas present consisted of $350 worth of inserts and several pair of shoes. I bought shoes for running, shoes for walking and boots for hiking. Guess what? I hiked all four days over Christmas vacation and my feet are feeling better already. This is really exciting to me.
It is important that you don’t give up on yourself. Pain does not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Whether you need new footwear, a new knee or a hip replacement…you are worth it!
Comments