NYC as recovery sequence
When I fractured my patella in February 2009, I would never have imagined how lengthy recovery would be. Now, of course, I know differently than the relatively immediate recoveries I experienced with previous injuries and surgical hernia repair. A patella fracture and necessary surgery for patella fracture has involved over a year of dedicated rehabilitation, a new use of self, and patience that has challenged my entire being.
I recently travelled to NYC, my very favorite city on the planet. Flights impact my knee in a very painful manner; I book extra leg room (so I can wiggle and extend the injured leg). I endure the cabin pressure and the long hours of sitting with great discomfort, even with extra leg room.
However, once I can walk and move upon arrival, the pain diminishes. I am far more able to ascend and descend stairs and walking distances with near to my pre-injury ease. Movement in a symmetrical fashion has become more accessible, and weight bearing of luggage is no longer such a huge challenge as even a few months ago.
I walked on an average of 9 miles every day, according to my trusty pedometer. This mileage was easy for me in NYC, as walking there includes so many views and experiences, and the city is primarily level in footing. Attending to the larger view than my challenged knee improves use. I could joyfully attend to the rhythm of the city and be part of the flow of the city from a global sense of my entire self in a wider attention.
The result was that I returned home with far greater strength in my injured leg, much less inflammation, and a renewed confidence in my mobility.
Of course, I had booked lessons with John Nicholls while in NYC with the intention of improving my entire condition of self. The lessons expanded my respiratory support, enhanced connection to the ground, and generally reduced my interference in overall response.
All we can do, truly, is reduce interference. This may sound passive, but is truly the most active means of improving use in recovery from injury. We go from undoing to doing without doing too much. Undoing becomes an active state that can inform all activities. It is simple, but not easy, and a joyfully lifelong pursuit.