Post by RumiDude on May 9, 2018 18:40:01 GMT -8
I have noted this on FB, but thought I would report here as well. I am 65 years of age and I get aches and pains. For a few years now, I have had a lot of pain in my left shoulder. And then three years ago I fell and really did a number on my right shoulder and upper arm which resulted in long term right shoulder pain. My left hip has had an ongoing pinched nerve pain. Add to that just lots of small pain and it all started to add up, causing me to do less. I would rather just sit and not aggravate anything. The question started to become, am I going to become more and more immobile?
Going back a decade or so ago, the first real aches and pains I experienced were knee issues. I started using trekking poles and that really helped. But my right knee always seemed to be just on the verge of giving out. I could no longer sit cross-legged because the pain was too great. If I did sit for a long time, I had difficulty getting up. Then I volunteered as a backcountry ranger in ONP. This required me to put in lots of miles and a side effect of all those miles was ... my knee pain went away. My right knee can still get tweaked but I have learned to be careful. But all the walking and hiking has rehabbed my knee. I can sit cross-legged and it doesn't bother me.
Just a couple months ago I started a strength training program. I started slow and with light weights, but I have advanced. I am getting much stronger and feel much better. And a surprising side-effect has been that my aches and pains have gone away. My left hip and shoulder pain was bad enough that it could wake me at night has gone. My right shoulder pain has gone as well. Most of my little aches and pains have gone. And another surprising benefit is that I sleep much better. (Some of you know how aging can mess with good sleep.)
So my suggestion is that you try strength training. Not like a body builder or such, but rather just to gain leg strength, upper body strength, core strength, and a sense of well being. Be consistent and don't go crazy and hurt yourself. Walk around town, ride your bike, and hike as often as you have opportunity. As you grow older it just requires more attention to keep fit and strong. But the feeling of well being is worth it.
Of course the caveat is to consult your doctor, especially if you have a known condition you may have to work around.
Rumi
Going back a decade or so ago, the first real aches and pains I experienced were knee issues. I started using trekking poles and that really helped. But my right knee always seemed to be just on the verge of giving out. I could no longer sit cross-legged because the pain was too great. If I did sit for a long time, I had difficulty getting up. Then I volunteered as a backcountry ranger in ONP. This required me to put in lots of miles and a side effect of all those miles was ... my knee pain went away. My right knee can still get tweaked but I have learned to be careful. But all the walking and hiking has rehabbed my knee. I can sit cross-legged and it doesn't bother me.
Just a couple months ago I started a strength training program. I started slow and with light weights, but I have advanced. I am getting much stronger and feel much better. And a surprising side-effect has been that my aches and pains have gone away. My left hip and shoulder pain was bad enough that it could wake me at night has gone. My right shoulder pain has gone as well. Most of my little aches and pains have gone. And another surprising benefit is that I sleep much better. (Some of you know how aging can mess with good sleep.)
So my suggestion is that you try strength training. Not like a body builder or such, but rather just to gain leg strength, upper body strength, core strength, and a sense of well being. Be consistent and don't go crazy and hurt yourself. Walk around town, ride your bike, and hike as often as you have opportunity. As you grow older it just requires more attention to keep fit and strong. But the feeling of well being is worth it.
Of course the caveat is to consult your doctor, especially if you have a known condition you may have to work around.
Rumi
