01/08/2021
Interestingly this week I had 2 people present with sciatica. One is a client who comes to my Pilates classes, the other a neighbour. I could tell my client was struggling in class on Wednesday, she hadn't been for a while, and even then was having issues that were warning flags for me. Life, work, pandemics, all those things that got in her way took their toll. As well as some new trainings with friends, and not really listening to what was being said from her body. But yes, on Wednesday that all came to a head, so I called her later and we had a conversation. She was surprised and also relieved by some of the things I said, and I was not surprised and a little alarmed by some of the things she said. SO we organised a Zoom Pilates session for Friday, so we could have a serious 1:1 investigation. What surprised/worried me the most was that she (sorry to keep saying she, I just don't want to use a name for privacy) said that she had been watching youtube videos for advice, so I asked her what some of those things were 😟 ........ I said that I have watched many such videos on YT and been a bit horrified with some of the stuff.... so I had a good think about it for a couple of days and we did our Zoom session and went through the anatomy and thought processes of such things, then did about 5 exercises that I, through my own experience and education, thought of most benefit. I felt for my client because during the group class on Wednesday (which she kinda surprised me turning up at) I could see her pain, I could see her bracing herself and lifting out of positions to ease her nerve pain (on the fly I changed my class plan to be most accommodating...). During our Zoom session there was none of that pain, there were moments of feeling where the problem was, and there were moments of freedom and feeling 'nothing' - I told her those were the most important moments. I later made a 25 minute video for her to follow once per day till I see her next week - she very smartly realised that our 1:1's are the way forward. I was both afraid to be trying to help someone with something that I had failed at (a concept that I come up against often as a Pilates Instructor and health professional who was unable to stop themselves from getting CES) and at the same time thankful that I have as much knowledge and care to pass on to someone in a situation that I would not wish upon ANYONE. Most of my clients have heard my story, so they have a point of reference as to where I am coming from, I believe.
The other, my neighbour. He is a middle aged man, labourer, builder, gardener, concreter, bathroom refurbisher - he even helped me modify my Reformer :) He walked from over yonder, well, limp/hobbled. I was like 'what's wrong with you mate?'. He has told me on several occasions that his 'back is fu**ed' (builder speak), and I know how much he works. His Mum in law is my neighbour, he is 3 more doors over, only moved in about 8 months ago, redone a 1.1 mill $ house, pool surrounds, solar roof, windows, balconies, chimneys, gardens, driveways..... always doing something.... if not that doing the M I L 's bathroom, cutting, sawing, sanding....... omg it is never ending! It gives me a sore back just thinking about it. The heavy lifting, the loading...... He told me what he was feeling, this in his back, that in his glutes, under his glutes, down his calf.... his foot. I asked him to do one movement, yeah na. It is not my job to diagnose, so I just told him what I thought, and suggested ( he also asked ) he could see a phyiso, an osteo, go to the Doc, maybe get a MRI if it goes on, if it KEEPS going on (and I will say here that this is something I never would have considered / never considered but in hind sight / retrospect / with what I know) get a corto injection. Maybe I wasn't aggressive enough in my attempt to stop the worst case scenario?? Maybe I was too new age? I also said if he ever wants to, come see me, maybe I can help.... when we are not in lockdown.
That old adage often comes to me, 'if there was one thing you could change in your life, what would it be?'.......
I wouldn't have let this happen to me.
Sciatica is a warning.
S
