Chronic pain relief in the presence of mermaids
The thing about chronic pain is, when you’re in remission, you don’t know if an ache portends another bout or if it’s just a transient ache. The past couple of years, I’ve wrestled with that exact question.
I’ve had issues with chronic pain on and off since I was in my 20s. In the past, the bouts have lasted anywhere from a few months to more than a year. In between those times, I’ve been pretty much okay. After my second bout of chronic pain went into remission, I was able to mountain bike, hike, and kayak.
This summer, my aches increased along with brain fog and fatigue.
Exercise for chronic pain
I decided to discuss it with my doctor at my annual physical. I knew she’d ask about exercise, and I had been trying to increase my time being active. Some days seemed better than others. I might do the NuStep (a recumbent cross trainer) for 30 to 45 minutes. I tried the elliptical, but could only manage 15 or 20 minutes, and that would be on a good day! Combine that with walking Beanie, our dog, a couple times a day and I thought I was getting enough exercise.
I began counting my steps and was shocked. Some days, the fatigue and joint pain were just too much, and I got less than 2000 steps. Wow! I knew I had to do something. As Paul the Physical Therapist says, “Motion is lotion for the joints.”
Liquid assets
Two months ago, my good friend installed a pool in her yard. She invited me over to swim on several occasions. The water felt great, and the company was delightful. Swimming is my favorite exercise, so what could go wrong?! The last two swims I took with her, the water temperature hovered around 78 °F! (The Arthritis Association recommends water temperatures between 83 °F to 90 °F) I realized that swim season would soon end… but I wasn’t ready.
I seemed to have three options for swimming through the fall and winter: join a swim exercise class at the YMCA four miles from my home; ask Paul to install a heated, indoor pool; or join the Polar Bear Plunge Club. The last two didn’t seem feasible. YMCA it was! The Alex W. Spears III YMCA, to be precise.
I was concerned I’d feel self-conscious, but my need for exercise that was kind to my joints outweighed my concerns about vanity. I checked online and found the perfect class for me – Aqua Arthritis Plus. It’s a water exercise class that helps improve flexibility, balance, coordination, muscular strength, and endurance in people with joint pain, mobility issues, or other physical limitations. (More info on the Y’s water fitness programs here.)
Grace under water
To my surprise, I really enjoyed it! Of course, I did! I love to swim! But it was more than that. My first class was awesome. It felt nice to swim, and it felt good to do the exercises without increasing my pain. That I expected. What I didn’t expect was how much fun I had!
Our group is one of 30+ people although not everyone is there for every class. We meet three times a week and workout for 45 minutes each time. In addition to specific exercises that make up most of the class, we also do a little line dancing at the beginning to warm up.
I didn’t realize how much I missed dancing! I’ve always loved to dance. I took ballet and tap as a child, went out to the clubs in college, and took belly dancing and African dance as an adult. My chronic pain has kept me away from dancing for more than a year.
Many of us arrive early to class and spend some time acclimating ourselves to the water and chatting. Class begins with the Cupid Shuffle, a line dance, but music continues throughout most of the class.
Some of our exercise routines look like synchronized swimming moves. I’m sure it doesn’t look that way to the young lifeguards who keep a watchful eye on us from up high. But from pool level, when we all raise our feet together or move in and out around the circle, it feels like it. Everyone looks so graceful. Everyone is smiling and laughing and moving effortlessly through the water.
Our instructor, Jane Taylor, does a great job. She became an aqua instructor after a back injury led her to water therapy as a non-surgical alternative. Her class title is “Less Pain with Jane”!
Mermaids out of water
By the end of our time together, we turn to walk up the steps and exit the pool. We say goodbye to the water that had transformed us into elegant creatures. The metamorphosis reverts.
As I’m standing in line, waiting my turn to leave the water, I notice the women and men in front of me. We’re like mermaids, so at home in the water. As we emerge, one by one, our graceful, fluid movements become stiff and rigid. But, I know my movement will improve gradually, back on land, if I keep up the aquatic workouts.
Recommended!
The class is very beneficial, and progress is shown after just a few visits. We keep coming back because we know it helps, because we know we feel better, and because we enjoy each other’s company. Yes, I very much enjoy the company of my new mermaid friends.
When you’re out and about and you notice someone with a slight limp or a slow gate or maybe someone having difficulty opening a jar of pickles, just think, you may be in the presence of a mermaid.