I’m an early riser. It has become my habit when I first open my eyes in the morning to lie flat on my back and take stock of the aches and pains that emanate from various parts of my body. Anyone watching me would wonder what on earth I was doing. I lift and bend various limbs to see what is new or different. Sometimes, I am pleasantly surprised to discover that a previous problem seems to have resolved itself.

It used to always be my right knee that gave me the most discomfort, but with continuous use of cannabis cream (I use it religiously.) , I no longer feel the throbs consistent with the arthritis in that joint. I am currently plagued by pain in my left shoulder. So, I am trying out various products from the arsenal in my medicine cabinet.

This week, after a tug of war with my 177 pound St. Bernard, I am treating lower back pain. I really should learn that if she doesn’t want to move, she won’t move. I am always the loser in this battle of wills.

I am quite aware that the aches and pains that I am experiencing are just another reminder that I am getting older. Among my group of friends, there are knee replacements, and hip replacements aplenty. It started me wondering why these surgeries are so common place today, and the wait time for doctors doing these procedures is long. I think back to when I was much, much younger and these kinds of operations were virtually unheard of in medicine.

How did our parents and grandparents and those before them cope with these ailments? My mom, in her eighties, was still maintaining her large home and garden, roller skating twice a week, and occasionally going downhill skiing in the winter. Were they made of better stock? Or were they simply more active during their lifetime than people are today? Has technology robbed us of our physical health?

I have come to the conclusion that it is a combination of many things, but I guess the proof will be in the younger generations. It will be interesting to see the outcome because as you have heard many times before “use it, or lose it”. I think there may definitely be something in that old adage. So get off your sofa, and phone, and computer and at least go for a walk. You may meet some new friends and discover a whole world of fun just beyond your front door.

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo ♥