Sidelined and on the Injury Reserve

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I'm not very good about listening to my body, resting or taking a day off from exercising. If I feel tired, have sore muscles, or a bit of pain, I just push through it. Due to unexplained lower back pain that travels down my leg, I've been sidelined until my primary physician is able to give a diagnosis. I've been in so much pain that, I knew better than to go to the gym or teach my classes this week.

I feel pretty good now that I'm taking prescribed pain relief medications and of course, I'm tempted to go to the gym for a workout. On the other hand, I know it's best to rest so that I don't make things worse. Besides, my family members would be very upset with me if I did. I still have to get an MRI to help determine if I have a pinched nerve or Sciatica. A pinched nerve happens when a nerve is injured or damaged by direct pressure and it's unable to send signals properly. Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve; the largest nerve in the body. While I wait to get an MRI, I'll focus on taking the medicines and rest. I'm worried about taking the entire week off from exercising but I know it's the right thing to do.  Planks will be the only strenuous activities I'll do as long as I don't have any pain.

Sometimes, our bodies have a way of telling us to slow down and this is mine. I've had dull lower back pain for years and would occasionally aggravate it from running or feel more pain because it's that time of the month. That always goes away in a few days. But I've never felt debilitating pain like this for several weeks and hope not to ever again after treatment. Resting does a body good. Here's to your health.