Up until my residency, I had always been playing sports regularly and as a resident and fellow my primary method of transport was bicycle. I was super healthy just by my lifestyle. Fast forward to my first attending job and I find myself driving hours a day, and still do at the new practice.
Over the first few years of that lifestyle change, I could sense that my core was getting weaker and I was getting a little bit flabbier. I’d chalk this up to getting the “dad bod“. But in truth, it was the consequence of sedentary, traveling to and from work, and taking the time that I used to spend playing sports and devoting it to work and family. in 2017 I herniated a disc in my back and could tell that things were going to be a little bit rougher in my mid 30s. My left leg was weak but ultimately with time and epidural steroid injections, I got better. My MRI actually improved and my symptoms basically went away. I started doing yoga seriously over the past two years and realized that in many ways, I was continually weakened by my discrimination and my lifestyle. My balance was clearly way worse than everybody else in the class and fortunately it is a no judgment zone, but overtime. I felt my core return to the type of stability and strengthen I recognized for my earlier years. I also felt that my mind took a break when I was in a hot core power yoga class. This helped me calm down and focus and love more intentionally in my life and career.
recovering from neck, surgery was completely different than healing from a disc herniation in my back because I had my muscles cut. Over the course of several weeks after surgery I could feel spasm and discomfort in my trapezius on the right hand side. Early yoga, beginning two weeks after surgery really helped to reduce the spasm and to help me restore muscle control of my neck, my back and my limbs, unfortunate that I’m able to take the time and energy to devote to this recovery, but I also realize that it is not optional and if I skip a day or two, I feel the consequences. Vinyasa flow is good daily practice that helps balance, the mind and body. You can do it anywhere with no equipment but a mat. Do yoga as a way of life. I hope my story helps people understand that its place serves as disease prevention. It also serves in recovery, but it’s unfortunately in a all cases, not a substitute for modern medicine. Combining this into techniques with the latest in state of the art, minimally invasive pain and spine. Therapies is my mission to my patients and to the communities I serve.
Come see me in Wyomissing and Lancaster PA. Call (610) 374-2927 for an appointment at the Center for Pain Control.