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A veterinary blog for pet lovers, vet voyeurs and the medically curious...
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The physical demands of my day job are finally beginning to make themselves known. …in my muscles, my feet, my spine and my head.
No, it’s not the teeth and the claws this time. It’s the height of the surgery table (not adjustable where I work), the standing all day (our small hospital offers me no desk save the stoop by the garbage bins) and lately, the occasional wrestling with wily pets who would love to jump off the tables and break their limbs.
I’m still in my thirties, mind you. I’m no septuagenarian, retirement-age old-timer. And I exercise daily. I’m strong. But I’m starting to feel my age, nonetheless.
Last week after a particularly physically demanding day (lots of surgery, lots of wily pets) I went home with a stiff neck and a headache. I took two Advils, stood under a scalding shower for fifteen minutes and went to bed early.
By the middle of the night I knew I’d be in for it. With a range of motion of about fifteen degrees in every direction this was not going to be the five-mile run day I’d planned. Forget the kayaking on Saturday, too. Instead, I made a massage appointment and stressed about the extra hundred bucks I’d have to spend to help fix the accumulated cricks.
Most vets will complain of these minor ailments throughout their careers. Both my colleagues have had to take emergency time off over the past couple of months for serious orthopedic pain. It’s inevitable, it would seem.
But that doesn’t mean we vets aren’t unwilling to die with our boots on. Many of us will, given half a chance and enough luck.
In the meantime, I’ll just have to be more careful when lifting and hefting. I’ll have to step up my weightlifting—lax over the past year or two since my trainer retired (no one else will trade for services on a regular basis).
Maybe I’ll have to beg for an adjustable surgery table or purchase more troughs (they help raise the patients up while cradling their backs comfortably). Hiring a guy or two? Sure, that might help somewhat but my current crop of girls supplies plenty of muscle power as it is. It’s the other stuff—like standing—that gets to me more.
Sure, all those standing mats and orthotic clogs help, but running takes its toll, too. All hail the swimming season we’re cusping into! And then there’s the massage and yoga—nothing beats these for the relief they provide. So chime in all you CPA’s and tell me my sessions are tax deductible. Please?
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"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
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- Mohandas Gandhi
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Now I use it every night to unwind. While it's not going to help the full body, it certainly helps some of the back tension I get.
Even if you can't deduct a pro massage, do it anyway, your body will thank you for it.
You might want to look at pilates - it is a considered less stressful on the neck than some yoga practices.
if you can't have a desk at the office, how about a small but supportive chair? Even a backless one with a saddle-like seat (like what massage therapists use themselves, heh) There's one behind the desk at the salon if you want to take a look at one type...
I hope you find something that helps. Being sore is no fun.
(Judo is awesome-it was just a fluke accident from a bad landing due to an overthrow)