Working is the best physical therapy. That was my revelation for the day.
I had a little shoot for a local client, a couple of portraits for the annual report of a non profit. I had been dreading it actually, uncertain if I were up to the strain on my back. But I also wanted a test run, in preparation for a two day out of town gig next week. I wanted to know just how bad off I really was. I'd had a difficult night with a lot of pain, and truly didn't know how I'd carry my gear, or handle the strain of the shoot.
As it turned out, the three hours on the job were the best I'd felt all week. The hip belt took all the weight of the equipment (18 lbs), and I let the shoulder strap flop loose. Walking city blocks, engaging my subjects, being connected with my environment and my body felt terrific. Ecstatic even. I can do this, I realized. I handed my bag off to my client to carry, I wore the cameras on my shoulders, and I felt loose and limber and in no pain.
When I came home, I fell onto the couch and into a dead sleep for an hour.
Whew! Recoveries can be slow, but they do, indeed, happen. Glad to hear you are doing well.
Posted by: Karen Anderson | April 23, 2008 at 11:33 PM