Scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed and seeing posts in the Scoliosis groups that I belong to, always gives me mixed feelings. In some ways, it’s great to feel like I’m not alone. It’s a comforting in a way, to know that there are people out there just like me, with similar types of pain, and similar issues resulting from their Scoliosis. But, in some ways I truly feel like I’m being a drama queen. People out there suffer with Scoliosis SO much worse than mine, should I even be complaining? When people in these groups are getting surgery, wearing braces and struggling with a host of severe issues, 1000x worse than mine, it begs the question.. should I even bother saying that I suffer with Scoliosis at all?
I’ve settled on yes. While it may not be the most severe case in history, and I can manage the pain and live a somewhat normal life (with a few adaptations) there are a few reasons why I think it’s important that I talk about my back problems. Particularly, in relation to fitness.
My number 1 reason being: If I can help just ONE human by educating them on the benefits of strength training and rehabilitation exercises, and what a huge difference this can make to their Scoliosis or Kyphosis, then my job is done. If just ONE human reads these blog posts and decides to try strength training, I would be the happiest nugget in the land.
Reason number 2: If just ONE human relates to me and feels a little less alone in their Scoliosis struggle, then it was worth it.
Reason number 3: If just ONE human is motivated enough to get up off the couch and start do something about their problems, instead of wallowing in them, then my mission here is accomplished.
But… and this is a big but (and I cannot lie!).. there is something that I see a lot of on these Facebook groups.. negativity. There’s a huge difference between being open about our problems to help others versus using them as an excuse or a crutch. Not for one second do I encourage using any disease/ailment/problem as an excuse to wallow in self pity or hold you back from things in life. I could’ve easily listened to the doctors, chiropractors and surgeons who told me to stop deadlifting, slow down with the weight training and take up yoga. HA!! Me? I need to push myself to the point of almost puking or passing out to stay sane, never mind the fact that I’m not very good at listening or being told what to do.
So here I am, deadlifting, throwing weights around and training like a beast. My Scoliosis and Kyphosis is NOT an excuse.