Sunday morning, I woke up suffering from unbearable pain: a stiff neck, taut shoulders, excruciating pain travelling from my upper arm to forearm and a feeling of numbness in the fingers. Wrong sleeping posture? Perhaps my poor arm could not bear my body weight! For us women, Sunday is rather hectic, with so many chores to catch up on: changing the bed linen, tossing towels into the laundry, sorting out the refrigerator, restocking the pantry, fruits and vegetables, navigating crooks and corners with house help, wooing the family with ‘my special’ dishes and so on. The day passed, with the nagging pain put on the back burner. Alibi or procrastination?
My discomfort was evident in the staffroom on Monday. From a martyr complex to prioritising self-care to medical scare, yours truly lent an ear to the choicest reprimands. The severity necessitated consulting a specialist immediately. The assembled multitude at the reception was a solace; I was not the only one, men, women and children of diverse age groups awaited their turn. Ah! we all fall sick.
The attendant hollered my name and I underwent a preliminary examination by the intern. A bombardment of queries: some basic ones about BP, sugar, profession, etc., and some startling ones: Did you fall or slip? Did you wear stilettos? The expert prescribed a few tests, scans and subsequently uttered a medical jargon C1, C4, C5, T1 and the final diagnosis: Cervical. Tablets/capsules were prescribed, some to be taken on an empty stomach and others after meals; correct posture, exercises and minimal use of electronic gadgets.
Preaching digital detox is easy, but practising it is certainly tough. I certainly wanted to rest, abstain from using mobile but how could I ignore the solicitous calls? The ubiquitous net might update you theoretically, but the practical inputs come from ‘co-patients’. A friend volunteered to bring a thread with a wooden bead given by a ‘blessed person’ for assured relief. My best friend dictated a family ‘nuskha’. Allopathic medicines treat only the symptoms, suggested another, homeopathy treats the root cause and brings long-term relief. A colleague vouched physiotherapy as the ultimate path.
A good friend referred me to a neurotherapy practitioner and booked an appointment. Having researched the topic, the approach made sense. The wear and tear in the first seven bones of the spinal cord, found in the neck and called cervical vertebrae, cause these symptoms. If left untreated, it may lead to physical debilitation. Ancient Indian medicine system views pain as a signal of disturbance in the body. Through dietary management, massage and therapy the nerve function and sensation can be improved.
Just as only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches, the sufferer knows the wrath of the physical pain and the psychological blow. Having endured the pain and numbness, I hereby submit my thesis. Cervical problems are a natural corollary of our profession. It is a lifestyle catastrophe. Once it chooses you, it stays forever. Exercise regularly and keep it manageable. Pay lots of attention to your dietary habits and stay hydrated. Pay attention to ergonomics: screens at eye level, frequent desk breaks and a supportive pillow. Reduce stress, practice some therapy – yoga, meditation. Stay active and be positive. This too shall pass.
kalrasuruchi@yahoo.com
(The writer is the head of the English department at Hindu Girls College, Jagadhri)
