On My Mind: All of the (Red) Lights
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My physiatrist once told me the only way I’d be able to manage my chronic pain without medication was to do “a comprehensive fitness regimen.” I dutifully took up a steady three-day-a-week workout routine: some weight lifting and cardio. I was still in a lot of pain. Sure, it would’ve helped to get more specific guidance from my doctor. But 18 or so months later, I finally figured out that, for me, a comprehensive fitness regimen might mean a mix of physical therapy; weight training; low-impact, moderate-intensity cardio; and hot yoga — one of those, pretty muchevery singleday. It has now been about seven months since I became a whole meathead, and I’m just beginning to have dayslong stretches with no pain. That was a long way to say, the two hours a day at the gym are worth it, and I’m immensely grateful I can just about pull it off. But no surprise: I’m absolutely laser focused on fitness, nutrition, and health right now.
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I’ve got my workout clothes pretty dialed in but just recently found a bra that’s perfect for hot yoga. The first win is the sizing. I’ve found that my band size typically corresponds to a medium in sports bras, but my breasts are often so squished — not enough cup room. But for some reason, I didn’t get that with this bra (I’m a 36D for reference). The other thing is the fabric. I’m doing hot yoga two times a week and have been testing bras to see what fabric functions best while waterlogged. This is a kind of studier swimsuit material, which means it doesn’t feel soggy when I’m halfway through class. For me, it’s expensive, but I only need one or two because it’s not my everyday gym bra.
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The bra has held up over the past few months to my rather aggressive care routine: I soak for a couple hours in the Lume anti-stink enzyme detergent I use for my gym clothes. And then wash on a regular cycle and line dry.
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I still need help with my main area of pain: My forearms and upper back. The red-light pods from Lightstim are a game changer. My love for red light as skin care is well documented on the Strategist. But it works for pain too. The only downside is they’re a little wonky to attach to your body, but they work, so I’m willing to, say, use a physio band to awkwardly tie them to my forearms.
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Because of my success with the Lightstim pain pods, I’m also thinking about trying this. It’s got more coverage area and is flexible, so that would make treatment easier. I could see myself sitting in my desk chair and firing up the Lightstim pods on my forearms while leaning back onto the Currentbody panel to treat my upper back.
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There’s also this bad boy, but somehow it seems like that would be doing the most. Although, thatisthe mode I’m in. And I’m always doing the most. So the more I think about it, why not? These treatment red lights are quite expensive, but if you have a health-care spending account, you can use those funds, typically.
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The other thing I’ve been obsessed with is sleep. I was recently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (appreciate you, Mom, for the hereditarily weak upper airway). So I’ve been looking into treatments in addition to the traditional therapies (CPAP and oral appliances, which absolutely work). I’m thinking about testing out this device, which is supposed to strengthen the muscles in your mouth — more like a cure for the condition. You need a prescription to buy one. Sometimes health insurance will cover it, too.
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I’ve also got to clean up my sleep hygiene. (I’m well known for taking a “quick nap” at 9 p.m. and waking up at midnight wondering who and where I am.) My nutritionist suggested that instead of telling myself I’m going to do more work or chores during the evening, to just accept that I’m tired and do something pleasant to wind down. Her recommendation to help with my chronic pain was to try golden milk (turmeric, black pepper, some kind of milk). Since I’m already shady on nighttime routines, I’d rather get a premade mix that I can add to warm soy milk. Any small hurdle and I’m back on that couch. This mix is unsweetened and has the right combo of anti-inflammatory ingredients, so I’ll try it.
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I also read that getting natural sunlight within 30 minutes of waking sets you up for a good night’s rest (and may have bigger benefits like longevity, mood, and hormone balance). It all hinges on the light hitting your eyes, so staring out the window doesn’t cut it. Because I live in an apartment, I’m thinking about getting a SAD lamp for days when I can’t quite get myself together to get out that quickly. I read that it can work as a swap for natural light for this purpose (but not for vitamin-D production). This lamp is one of our picks forbest SAD lamps.
Other stuff I’m into right now
My summer wardrobe is also heavily on my mind: swimsuits and work outfits — and the real bee in my bonnet is comfortable dressy and casual flats. I have an extremely high instep and low arches (appreciate you, Dad). It’s a miserable combo, but maybe I could try something like these.
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