Jon Kirkendall on fri 9 apr 99
I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my email about upper back
pain. Thanks to Margaret and Joyce who reminded me that back pain and
heart problems can be related (yes, heart disease runs in my family and
not four weeks ago I was in to my doctor's for arhythmia). I will pay
attention to this. However, there has been no exhaustion or tiredness
associated with the back pain.
I was able to get an appointment with a massage therapist who does deep
connective tissue work (very similar to rolfing), and she worked on me
for an hour and a half. She told me that my back muscles were being
used to support my head and that I lost the support of chest and
shoulder muscles. It was as if the "bending over the wheel" posture had
become the "normal" or "learned" posture and I was maintaining that
posture even when I stood. I felt MUCH better after leaving her office,
but it is clear I will need to return. Excercises that were posted have
all been helpful. I have an appointment next week with an Alexander
Technique teacher who is coming to my studio to watch me throw and work
with me on that. She was very helpful and made several suggestions over
the phone that have helped. She suggested that I try to bend from the
hip and neck only, when I am at the wheel, not crunching and curling up
the spine. I tried it yesterday, and it was a bit odd to throw with a
straight spine, but there was very little tiredness when I finished.
What perhaps has been most helpful is all the encouragement to go ahead
and PAY for treatment if insurance doesn't cover it. I tend to hesitate
around these things, but I'm tired of hurting and the relief is worth
it. Besides, my partner of seven years and I are getting married in
June, and who wants to hobble down the aisle?
Jonathan in DC
Signing off Clayart for a week and heading for New York for fun!
(though to be honest, I'd rather be heading to the southwest to check
out Joyce's view of the Mojave)
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