This week, for the first time in a long while, I was actually able to bend over without grimacing and holding my breath due to lower back pain. This has been troubling me for years, but I have always been able to beat it back to a tolerable place via acupuncture, massage and/or chiropractic care.

On my flight to New York in April, I knew I was in trouble after I lifted my suitcase into the overhead bin and sat down. There was that excruciating moment of realization that something was not right, but there I was, a captive passenger for the next five and a half hours. I hobbled my way through the next week with a steady stream of Advil in my veins and was impressed by the kindness and generosity of strangers willing to share the drug contents of their pockets and purses.

Back pain seems to elicit a universal kind of empathy.

After a couple months of chiropractic visits, two to three times a week, with no decrease in pain, I had to rethink my process. A friend mentioned a book by Dr. John Sarno, which says that a lot of back pain is about unexpressed rage. I’m quite certain I might have some of that, so I spent some time exploring, writing and conversing with my back about anything left unexpressed. Then, my brilliant and wise massage therapist who has magic hands mentioned a book by Pete Egoscue called Pain Free.

“Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a form of high-priority communication. It warns of impending danger. ‘Something,’ pain seems to be announcing, ‘is happening that shouldn’t be happening.'” Pain Free

I highly recommend the book, even if you just stand in the bookstore and read the first three chapters. It will change your life if you have back pain.

I love the book because the author advocates movement, which is contradictory to what my chiropractor advised. I had become scared of moving, afraid I might further injure myself. I think it is this way with emotions as well, because in navigating the heavier feelings of despair or grief, one can become immobilized by the sheer density of them. Or at least I did.

The last thing I wanted to do was move, but I discovered that creating movement is an essential element for healing the soul. It intrigues me that this book advocates the same for the body.

“Every system of the body is energized by motion.” Pain Free

Isn’t it possible that physical pain, as well as emotional suffering, serves as an intricate alarm designed for our benefit? Pain is not something we are supposed to reconfigure our lives around, although that is exactly what most of us do.

And, if pain is a messenger, it makes me wonder how often we miss the possibility for true growth or health because we drown it out with Advil or a mind-numbing alternative?

I have been practicing the exercises in the book and am noticing tiny benefits that all point in the direction of a pain-free existence. I am also going to look into something called MELT, because I just can’t help myself when I get started on these kinds of things.

What message is your pain trying to send you? Is it possible that micro-motion might get you moving in the direction of healing?

Sending you all the love, truth and wisdom you need to find out.

-db

Who is Dianna Bonny?

Hi, my name is Dianna Bonny. It’s my mission to candidly share my journey with you. For me, it’s all about the healing: to create a radiant healing energy for others who have befallen a similar fate. Together, we can forge beautiful lives of belonging and connection. Thanks for joining me today! I look forward to hearing from you.