As I get older, I inevitably experience more and more aches and pains. Recently, I've been particularly bothered by some pain in my left shoulder and left arm. This isn't a new problem; it probably started a few years ago. But somehow it always got better and I felt fine. However, this time it seems to be more persistent and painful.
It was the same last summer, but even then I managed to get rid of the pain with a few exercises and physical activity. But since January things have been different and it seems as if the pain is here to stay.
At first, it was just my left upper arm, but now it's mainly my left shoulder, or more precisely, my left shoulder blade. Although I've been doing a few light stretching exercises every morning since the beginning of the year, I can't get rid of the pain. Who knows, maybe it's related to these exercises, although I don't really want to believe that. Shoulder and arm circles are supposed to be exactly the kind of exercises that make this area of the body a little more flexible and smooth.
Of course, I had already been to the doctor, but so far he hasn't been able to find anything that could be wrong. Apparently everything is fine and I'm just tense, and he likes to prescribe me some pain patches. Most of the time, I'm then getting a little “rehabilitation,” as physiotherapy is called over here. But ultimately, that just means a few stretching exercises that I can easily do at home. And that's what I do.
I always feel that as soon as I do a little exercise, my symptoms get worse. Whether it's weights or a little running, after a short time I somehow feel worse than before. It's not that I have no strength and I'm weak, but it always starts to hurt here and there. Sometimes in my legs and knees, or in my shoulder, which bothers me the most.
I'll probably have to go back to the orthopedist, even though I already know exactly what he'll say. He won't be able to find anything wrong this time either, and he'll tell me that with a little “rehabilitation” everything will be fine again soon. Which of course won't be the case, I already know that from my experience.
Somehow, I don't know what to do. Finding the right doctor has always been a challenge, and today it seems to have become even more difficult. Actually Japan doesn't have a bad healthcare system, but one of the reasons that keeps me from going back is...
Somehow, I don't know what to do now. Finding the right doctor has always been a challenge, and today it seems to have become even more difficult. Actully Japan doesn't have a bad healthcare system, but one of the reasons that keeps me from rushing to the doctor is the constant 30% copayment of the total cost. And over time, that can really add up.
Well, let's see. Fortunately, it's not like I can't move at all. Most of the time, I'm quite mobile and feel pretty fit. Unfortunately though that wasn't the case this morning, and this painful feeling hasn't gone away since.
So what? I'll continue to try to get enough exercise and keep my arm and shoulder from getting rusty. But even though I'd like to sit out the problem and let it heal on its own, it looks like I'll have to see a doctor again. Even though he hasn't been a real help so far, and I don't really have much time right now. But what can you do? Hopefully I still have a few decades ahead of me, and I'd like to enjoy and explore a little more during that time. There's still so much to do!
