Right Left … Left Right … To Move or Not to Move!!

We went on a short holiday in September 2019. One of the gifts I came back with was a painful right shoulder.

I carry my handbag on my right shoulder. So, posture wise it is a reverse ‘see-saw’, heavier side up (right shoulder) and lighter side down (left shoulder). All in all — a very painful shoulder with visits to the orthopaedic and intermittent sessions with the physiotherapist. In the month of March the pain was bad, but fortunately I could go for more regular sessions with the physiotherapist. She worked hard on mobilizing the shoulder.

Pre lockdown, the clinic decided to close for safety reasons. My physiotherapist gave me a series of exercises and stretches to do on my own with a firm instruction to be disciplined and not to neglect the shoulder.

I promised, for I surely did not want a frozen shoulder.

The lockdown happened, the maids were told to stay at home. I swept the back yard and the front yard, scrubbed vessels, along with the exercises. And strangely the shoulder after a few days hardly gave a murmur of pain.

One evening, the pain recurred. I consciously thought about what I had done differently that day. Well, I had tried my hand at making ladli pav (bread). But why should that cause me pain?

Let’s look at the movements:

• Scrubbing vessels — right left … left right
• Sweeping — right left … left right
• Kneading dough for bread — forward backward … backward forward, and some punching with a closed fist and that too for about 15 to 20 minutes non-stop.

That was the answer — my shoulder was open to some movements, but cringed in pain with different movements.

The question before me now was should I pamper the shoulder by avoiding the painful movements or push it for better mobility?

I decided to look the pain square in the eye and added a few more exercises to the daily routine — courtesy internet …… Activity heals!!

And that brought to mind, one of my favourite articles — Fertile Minds by J. Madeline Nash, Time Magazine, January 24, 2001. Here are some highlights from the article.

The article starts in a very interesting way, it says, — ‘Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat. If scientists could eavesdrop on the brain of a human embryo 10, maybe 12 weeks after conception, they would hear this astonishing racket. This is the sound of the neurons in the brain making synapses (connections) with each other, actually forming the brains circuitry and this continues after birth too. And here is what is interesting — the brain starts eliminating connections or synapses that are seldom used.

Therefore children should have a stimulating environment as experiences strengthen and bond synapses.

The other important finding by researchers is that, children who are deprived of physical activity/play and physical touch develop brains 20% to 30% smaller than normal for their age.

In other words, physical activity (play) and physical touch leads to mental growth. This finding has profound implications for parents and the teaching profession.

We have become over protective and constantly hover around our children. Don’t run, don’t climb — don’t don’t ….. — thus depriving children of normal physical activity so essential for all round growth. I am not talking of life threatening risks. Just normal activity that children are wired for.

Let there be a blend of active and quiet activity. For e.g. walk, run, climb stairs, move to music etc. Quiet activities like building blocks, threading beads, playing in water and so much more.

Come on, parents and teachers, together let’s put on our creative hats!

Children in their childhood years are naturally active and full of energy. The Tweens and Adolescents have hormones raring to go that need physical activity to channelize their energies into healthy outlets.

One of our greatest regrets will be that during this pandemic we have allowed our children to disappear and become invisible behind screens. Online classes, T.V. and gadgets for the whole day will make for dull couch potatoes. I hardly see children on the road walking, cycling, and playing in the evening. There are adults walking, running, jogging but not children.

We are in the unlock stage in India — and I’m sure a lot is possible even with minimum space and with taking all COVID — 19 precautions.

Physical activity is a must at every stage of one’s life — even senior citizens like me and older too.

Let’s get moving to the extent possible — even with the corona virus trying to play spoil sport.

• Pour yourself a glass of water
• Fetch the Remote
• Open the Newspaper wide to stretch your arms
• Walk as many steps as you can
• Move to music
• And wherever possible climb a few steps

I have been quite sneaky. For in the garb of physical activity, we are also taking care of our mental, social, emotional and psychological well-being. Yes, all and any kind of activity heals!

Have I forgotten something that was mentioned earlier? Yes — Physical touch! That hug may keep the counsellor away. Put me out of a job!