As I get older there is a need to change and to change quickly. I really need to put this at the top of my priority list. What do I need to change you ask? I need to listen to my body! If I have a lingering ache or pain I need to do something about it by either stop playing a sport, get treatment or get this…go see a doctor! Ok, I said it. Like most, I don’t like seeing doctors and frankly, it is very easy to put off a visit. Recently, I had an injury that I kept telling myself was nothing. Week after week, month after month I kept saying “It isn’t anything. It’s no big deal. It will go away.” Well, I didn’t. Finally, after I heard from a friend who was sick, I saw a doctor. The first doctor thought I had a sports hernia and the second one wasn’t sure what it was. They sent me to a surgeon who believes it is probably a tear that needs to be addressed.
The reason I am sharing this isn’t for any sympathy at all. It is for one reason only – I want to make the point that as we get older we need to really listen to our body and NOT tune it out! It is very easy to get caught up in life and forget to take care of yourself.
So, I ask you…
- Do you listen to your body?
- The next time you aren’t feeling well or have a nagging injury, what are you going to do about it?
I truly hope you do the opposite of what I did.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Carter Cathey says:
Sadly, I do this all the time especially when I think that I know what the doctor is going to say and I don’t want to comply. For example, my doctor has been telling me that running is probably not the best thing for my lower back pain for the last two years, but I really like it and I am pushing 20 miles a week right now. I know that if I go in about the lower back pain, he is going to want me to take a month or so off and to give up on the marathan later this year.
The body does speak to you, I agree.
–Carter
Merrill Dubrow says:
Carter,
Unfortunately I am doing the same thing – sometimes I am in real pain and have this thing I do that once I start working out or playing a sport I forget all about it until……….. 20 minutes after I am done and than I feel it big time. Thanks for sharing.
Merrill
Debra says:
You are so right! I just spent the last two months pretending my shoulder didn’t hurt until it was so bad I couldn’t sleep at night. (Losing sleep is the one thing I absolutely cannot tolerate!) I talked to friends at the gym, I talk to my sports massage therapist, but I didn’t (a) change anything I was doing or (2) go to the doctor. Last Friday I finally broke down and saw the doc – rotator cuff tear! Already feels much better and now I have a plan for getting it back to health. Have I learned my lesson? Probably not !
Merrill Dubrow says:
Debra,
I am so sorry to hear that. Glad you finally did something about it – I probably would have waited another two months. I hope all of us change that behavior – very important as we get older.
Thanks.
Merrill
Lisa Lockwood says:
After a major hernia repair, my husband kept complaining to his surgeon that he didn’t feel right – the swelling wasn’t going down at all, he was waking up with night sweats and he knew something was wrong. Finally he talked to his primary care physician instead of his surgeon. His doctor, knowing that Russ isn’t a complainer, sent him for a CT scan to look for a pocket of infection. Instead they found a massive tumor on his kidney. He had stage 2 renal cell carcinoma that hadn’t presented with any symptoms except the night sweats. Russ is here today – healthy, thank God – and when he says he doesn’t feel well – EVERYONE listens. A true testament to listening to what your body is telling you and doing something about it.
Thank you, Merrill, for discussing this very important subject!
Merrill Dubrow says:
Lisa,
Appreciate you sharing your very personal story and so thankful that your husband listened to his body and did something about it! It hope your story changes how a few people react in the future.
Thanks again!
Merrill
Michael Halberstam says:
I ALWAYS listen to what my body is saying. Growing up with a number of serious issues I was taught by my parents and doctors that I should NEVER ignore what my body was telling me. That has held me in good stead over the years.
Jeffrey Adler says:
I play as much sports as I can, so the occasional injury is something which really cannot be avoided. Before kids I was playing basketball three times a week, volleyball twice a week, and playing on five softball teams. I learned long ago that I am usually wrong when I guess about the severity of an injury. When I think it is nothing, it is something. When I think it is something it is nothing.
I think there is at least one physiological reason for this. Often with a serious injury there can be a lot of swelling, along with an adrenaline rush. This can cause the perception the injury is not as bad as it seems.
When I was younger, I had my thumb essentially torn off on a collision at home plate. I could no longer play the field, because the thumb would not move at all, so I could not control my glove. However, I moved to designated hitter. In my next at bat, I grabbed the bat with 9 fingers and smashed a bases loaded triple off the fence. After the game, I went out for ice cream. Then, I went to the ER to get the thumb checked out. Two days later, I had surgery to repair the torn tendon.
I did not do additional damage back then, but that may have been fortunate. Today I would not take such chances.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Jeffrey,
My first question is I am very impressed years ago you were able to play that many sports – and 5 softball teams! I am jealous. I love playing the game. It is funny how you look at things as you get older. Glad to hear you wouldn’t take chances now like you would have when you were younger.
Stay well.
Merrill
Roger Austin says:
Merrill
Good advice. Thank you!
Regards,
Roger B. Austin