I’ve always loved trees. It started with climbing them to fetch fruit, then hiding under the shade of a Hemlock to get some relief from the sun and later gazing at the big waxy flowers of the Magnolia tree that seem to say “I’m happy you’re here”. I was fascinated to learn that trees need the wind to grow. That adversity in their calm existence forces their roots to go deep and grow strong allowing the branches to expand and create a home for the birds, and depending on the variety, provide us with nourishing fruits. In addition to the important role in photosynthesis that trees play, I recently learned something amazing about the Mangrove tree. These gnarly trees grow in salt water and send down hundreds of roots, which collect silt and, eventually, form dry land. They provide an important barrier to both replenish and protect our coastal areas.
I think of my bones like a tree’s trunk and branches that provide the structure for my life. So, when my doctor said I had multiple discs disintegrating, lots of arthritis and pinched nerves I felt more than a little defeated. Then he said something that gave me great hope. He said it was not reversible and the damage would just continue to escalate with age. I’ve learned that never is seldom never, doctors are NOT taught the healing benefits of diet and exercise, and God can do anything! And of course I’ve always loved a challenge.
I came home and immediately started searching through all my resources for how to support the skeletal system and I reached out to my favorite physical therapist for advice. Targeted exercises will strengthen the muscles and connective tissues which should relieve the compressed nerves. Hopefully that will reduce the pain. But I have yet to determine if I can reverse any of the arthritis or build up the bone loss from all the abuse I’ve inflicted on my back.
In my perfect world, I could go back in time and tell my young self all the wise things I have learned as a senior citizen. Maybe that is why I have always loved stories about time travel. But since I can’t do that, I blog. I blog in hopes that someone younger than me will learn from my mistakes and adopt some of my healthier habits now, before they do the damage I have done to my body. First, just because you can lift that heavy bronze sculpture, doesn’t mean you should. I did a lot of harm during the years I insisted on moving the gallery around by myself. I had already weakened my back by constantly moving all my furniture as part of my cleaning routine. And second, sitting is your enemy. I wish I had got my standing desk about 25 years earlier than I did. Third, motion is lotion and rest is rust. The more often you move and use your body to stretch and bend the better! But the last item is the one that most intrigues me and I will make my quest for the foreseeable future. How can diet reverse damage to my skeletal system? Stayed tuned as I explore the research and apply what I learn in hopes of proving that, like the Mangrove tree, I can create a little healthy real estate one miniscule step at a time.
“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17 NIV)
“Almonds may be able to help prevent bone loss but not build bones, whereas the opposite was found for prunes-so a combo prune-and-almond trail mix may be in order.” (Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM – How Not to Age)
“The structure of the cell membranes, their elasticity, the tensile strength of your cartilage, the elasticity of your blood vessels, and the interior machinery of the cell – everything you put in your mouth affects these things and counts toward determining your future health.” (Joel Fuhrman, M.D. – Eat For Life)
Yours for a Joyful Journey,
Joyice