if you can swim, i found nothing better, too bad it makes my SI irritable these days.

my left upper back / neck has been one of my worst areas since this all started back in 1998. one of the first things i did was a quick movement that partially tore my rhomboid. PT and physiatrist helped it a lot in the early 2000s. i had lots of active triggerpoints for one, that induced muscle spasms for another, that weakened the muscles. had a lot of work done back there that you probably don't need.

but, band exercises are great for gentle strengthening.

and i did all the various stretches over the years, spinal twist maybe the best one.

but still my ribs were subluxating. so now, this chiro doing active release technique is gently breaking up all kinds of fibrous tissue, mobilizing joints, all kinds of wonderful things, pretty gently too. and his mantra is increased flexibility / stretching. so bought this foam roller and i lay on it and it really opens up my chest. so back to more stretching, but even better this time. and a good PT and/or chiro can really do wonders to help us along. but a good one, there really is a difference in quality out there.

finally! a walk! 1.5 miles, 30 minutes.

i had been waiting for my philly to call for the last few days and didn't want to miss the call, so i had missed my walk, so good to be able to go out today, rain and dark and all!

What time of day do you usually walk, Sue? Is it first thing in the morning? I would love to have time for a walk in the morning to clear the cobwebs... I am not a morning person at all it takes me a long time to come around!

hi tink! exactly the opposite, rather at sunset when i can, lately though it seems like its a bit later than that, start out in the light, end up in the dark, but as it gets dark earlier and earlier each day, wondering if somehow i should find the time before work, that would be such a new concept for me, just not sure i have it in me to do, so planning on getting an indoor stationary recumbent bike instead for those winter months.

Makes more sense that you walk in the evening! And now I come to think of it you often mention sunsets you see on your walks!! Silly me It was morning time for me and that's as far as my brain went!

I must admit I am a bit of a fair weather walker - I love walking when it's really sunny with a lovely cool breeze or when it's a bit of a chilly autumn day but still nice and bright, so you warm up quickly as you walk! Walking in the dark, cold and rain does not sound such a pleasurable prospect I think you might be as well to retire indoors in the winter.

I swim in the summer (it's an outdoor pool) and have started my gym class, but I am really a walker. I love spotting things as you walk, as I know you do. We used to go on a woodland walk every Sunday after dinner when I was a kid. I try to take my girls out for a walk as often as I can. They are loving the crunchy leaves at the moment!

Woohoo!

Good job LATH!

Go TEAM!

Swimming & Tai Chi are AWESOME for neck and upper back.

...or maybe you could walk part of the way on your hands??? I crack myself up.

Go TEAM!

Woohoooo!!!!!

Go TEAM!

Awwww.... While I'm tempted to take a bow, the truth is that you're all saving my butt...literally! And my back. And my sanity. I love you all for keeping me afloat. I was batspit crazy when I got here in early summer. Not kidding, I truly thought I was going crazy. And all ya'll here have saved my bacon. I think about you all every single day. I thank you, my family thanks you, and my non-KickAS friends thank you.

Go TEAM!