I've never broken a bone for the past 30+ years of my life. Nor did I ever have to spend a night at the hospital.
I am immensely grateful for that and have been incredibly lucky.
Most of the time, I’ve felt invincible. But sometimes, when I’m slightly sick, I feel like I’m dying. Yet, too stubborn to go to the doctor, knowing I’d be better the next day.
I’ve been spoiled.
Thus, when I started experiencing chronic upper back pain last week, I finally scheduled my first physiotherapy appointment at a sports medicine clinic. It was a reminder of my millennial mortality.
I didn’t know what to expect. Is my back broken beyond repair? Is my physical health going downhill from here? Is it CrossFit?? Since I also felt tingling down my arm and to my pinky, would I have a heart attack too??
After realizing I parked in the wrong parking garage, I trekked 10 minutes to the sports clinic in the middle of a snowstorm. I’m probably fine, I thought, considering I’m still very mobile.
It turned out that I had a pinched nerve somewhere on my spine, causing the pulsing pain down the back of my arm. Those years of bad posture as I worked and leaning on my elbows on my desk as I fell into deep thought finally took their toll.
I’m now one of those 30-somethings with a set of exercises to do daily. Not because I was targeting that hot summer body but because I may be screwed if I didn't.
I suppose the positive side of pain is that it physically reminds you constantly to break bad habits.
This may not be a broken bone, but I’d like to take the precautions now to continue that 30+ year streak of not having one.
🖋️ Quote of the week
Sometimes I like to think of my life as a saw. Being really productive, to me, is like using the saw to cut wood and build things. But you can’t cut wood very well with a dull saw, so I have to spend time sharpening the saw, too. Sharpening the saw isn’t productive, exactly, but it makes it so you’re more effective when you do cut something. Sharpening the saw is improving yourself, and cutting with the saw is effecting change in the world.
Jim Davies, Being the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are: The Science of a Better You
🏆 Wins
Completed Month 2 of CrossFit
One of my 2023 New Year’s resolutions is to get back into CrossFit for at least three months this year. It doesn’t have to be three months in a row, but just three months this year. I’m excited to say that this week, I’ve completed month 2! While I need to take a month's break due to my upcoming California trip, I’m looking forward to my third month as soon as I return!
Btw—CrossFit wasn’t the reason for my back pain. Phew!
Completing my February Retrospective and Setting March Goals
A few days ago, I used my Notion template to do my end-of-month retrospective. It’s exciting to see how much I’ve accomplished in 28 days and even more exciting to plan what I want to accomplish in March. It’ll be an ambitious month for sure!
👩🏾💻 What I learned
Your ulnar nerve controls your funny bone
The ulnar nerve carries electrical signals to muscles in the forearm and hand. Also, the nerve is responsible for sensation in the fourth and fifth fingers (rings and little fingers) of the hand, part of the palm, and the underside of the forearm.
This explains why I felt those sensations going down from my upper back and the back of my right arm and why I should stop leaning on my elbows. Breaking this habit will be tough!
🖼️ AI-Generated Image(s) of the week
Text description: “lightning striking a woman's back, digital art”
AI system used: DALL·E 2 by OpenAI
🤔 My question for you
It’s a new month! What are some of your March goals?
👋🏽 That’s all for now. Till next time!
Cheers,
Neilda