Moving On

I've been to the chiropractor a few times so far and I'm frustrated enough to cancel the next appointment. I have already made an appointment with an acupuncturist recommended by my primary care physician. The problem with the chiropractor, a nice enough fellow, is that he is not listening to me. Instead, he is following a standard protocol that will last for several weeks but not really provide any relief. This is the problem I had with the physical therapy the health insurance insisted on before I could get approval for an MRI. They're working on an assumption of muscle weakness and instability. 

I'm not weak. I have lax ligaments due to a genetic issue with skin and connective tissue proteins. The chiropractor claims to offer spinal decompression and that is the only reason I have been coming to that office. But I've been there 4 times, shown my x-rays, discussed my sciatica. And it's the basic stand on a vibrating plate (which makes me grit my teeth and my feet go numb) to "increase blood flow to the lower extremities" (uh, that's what exercise like cardio does, right?) and then lay on a table for a few adjustments to the neck and spine. 

I've read about the decompression online, a sort of mild traction to relieve pressure on the disc and afflicted nerves. Other chiropractors offer it. Maybe I'm too polite? I think I need to threaten to cancel my next appointment. They were like this about acupuncture as well. I asked and they said they had someone. And then that subject never came up again. Which is why I have an appointment tomorrow with an acupuncture specialist. 

If anything, I feel worse today after seeing the chiropractor yesterday. Dogs went to the park. It's the last week of school and summer camp starts next Monday. I eventually made it to the gym. It wasn't too crowded, but while yesterday was pleasantly temperate, today was hot and humid. Darkening clouds and brisk winds mean there's a storm brewing for later this evening. I'm able to use elliptical #1 and pedal program #3. My leg really hurts while I do cardio, with a clenched calf and throbbing right glute. Still, it wasn't too bad a "run" considering how hampered I felt. 

My forearms are sore from the Seated Alternate DB Curls from Monday. Each set was performed with hands in a different rotation: normal rotating palms up; hammer curl; reverse curl. It's the reverse curls that stresses the forearms the most. Sore forearms don't help with pull-ups, even hammer grip pull-ups. My foot and leg are throbbing when I clamber onto the Stretch Cage. I still get a decent set but it's not a great set. Again, I skipped the stair climber. 

A Nautilus bench is free and I decided to do the DB upper body routine: seated DB inclined press; standing DB lateral raises; bent over DB reverse flys. Between my wonky right shoulder and the sciatica, I decided it was best to cut back on reps for the presses. I also stayed with the 15 lbs for the Bent Over Flys because it's actually more difficult than on an inclined bench. The next DBs on the rack are 20s, and those are too heavy for the range of motion required. In the past, on an inclined bench, I have been able to perform this movement but at a cost: the back of my neck and skull tend to knot up in protest. Have I mentioned that I'm a very knotty person? 

Throughout this routine, my sciatica still aches but sporadically, mostly when standing and walking. The Aerobics Room is warmer with higher humidity than if the a/c was running properly. It can't be because of the Senior class since those only occur M W F and today is Thursday. My sciatica is mostly quiet except during push-ups. It's not as bad as if I had both feet on the ground, but today even the elevated leg was uncomfortable. Again, I could manage 20 reps the first set and then another 10 after a brief respite. 

It's hot today but the milkweeds in the yard smell wonderful. There are more Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies visiting everyday, with many engaged in courtship dances. There are also a lot of bees, both honey and bumble. A few seem to have died wedged in between the milkweed flowers. Still, no Monarch or Queen butterflies. I just learned about the latter from a FB group dedicated to butterfly gardens! 

My kid comes back for the weekend starting tomorrow evening. Gen Z prizes that work/life balance and this long commute is one way to make the unpaid internship more palatable, especially since all friends are back home in our quiet semi-rural town. Meanwhile, I think the dogs have given me a mild case of poison ivy since it's literally everywhere and they like to sniff all the green things and lunge after squirrels digging up seeds and nuts in the weedy foliage. And then they lay on the sofa... 

25 June 2026 1:02-3:10

Aching Sciatica Thursday

Steamy with Rain Later

Precor elliptical #1 (1:40)

Program 3

Time: 30 + 5 (5356)

Distance: 2.77

Cal: 303

Precor HR: 143, 182-109

Google Health: 42-129

(Foot numb / ankle calf glute)

HGPU 16

(Sore forearms from Monday AND Sciatica)

Incl DB Press s/s Lateral Raises s/s Bent-over Flys (more difficult so stay with 15 lb DB)

10 lbs x 25/15/25 (1:57)

15 lbs x 25/15/25 (2:05)

20/15/15 x 20/15/20 reps Set 1 (2:17); 
Set 2 [25/15/25] (2:27); Set 3 [25/15/25] (2:38)

Steamy Aerobic Room due to Sr class

Skipping every exercise that aggravates my sciatica

20 Piriformis/Hip flex (2:43)

12 Hamstring stretches

50 crunches knees bent feet flat (!!!)

25 crunches knees to chest

12 Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 30 x 2

Arm rotations 20

Push-Ups (right leg up) 20, 10

Air Squats 25

Neck Stretch / eye yoga