Casual and Relaxed Note #57 - There is so much I don't know about my own body -

Hello, this is Tachitake Rakka.
I don't intend to deny the saying,
"You know yourself better than anyone else," but there are actually so many things we don't know about ourselves.
I realized that the parts I know are limited to things like my personality or the physical condition I feel within a very narrow range.

Around February of this year, I suddenly started feeling pain in my left knee.
I can't think of any particular trigger.
As a librarian, I often have to crouch down when putting books back on the shelves... but well, I've been doing that for over eight years now. Has my body finally started to wear out?

So, I went to consult an orthopedic surgeon.
They had me move my legs and observed my posture while walking.
They examined how I normally use my body.
As a result, the doctor pointed out three things.

・Because I injured my right leg in the past, I am overusing my left leg to compensate for it.
・My center of gravity is shifted forward. To put it extremely, I am standing and walking as if I were constantly wearing high heels.
・There is a possibility that the way I use parts of my body other than my legs is putting a strain on my knees.

I had absolutely no awareness of any of these...!!

I was keenly aware that I am living my life knowing almost nothing about how my body moves or what functions it has.
And what was even more interesting was the lecture from the physical therapist that followed.

It was a room like a dance studio with mirrors on all sides.
When I walked there without being conscious of anything at first, well, my posture was bad...
"I really do feel like you're walking only on your toes."
Looking from the side, my back was hunched. I've had a hunched back since I was young, and I have a slightly straight neck.
"I'm going to teach you three stretches now, so let's do each one for five minutes."
The stretches themselves were simple. Hugging my knees and rolling side to side, or lying on my back and doing abdominal breathing while being conscious of my hamstrings. It just felt like I was using movements and parts of my body that I don't usually use.
After doing as I was told for 15 minutes, when I walked again...!

Wait, walking feels a little easier!!

Even looking in the mirror, it feels like my posture has improved a little.
How should I put it,it feels like a distorted line has become a straight, sharp line.
I was amazed that such a small amount of stretching could make such a difference. It was an eye-opener.

You know those programs where someone's posture improves dramatically after just a little bit of treatment, right?
I'm sorry, but I used to think, "No way, there's no way it changes that easily"...!
I gained the realization that the body can change just by slightly altering how you move.

There are so many things I don't know about my own body.
Even now, as I write this, my body is working to keep me alive in ways I don't even know about.
And without knowing it, I might use it incorrectly, or catch something from the outside, leading to pain or illness... it's profound.

There might be a limit to what I can do for my own body, but this was an event on a day off where I decided to take care of my body as much as I can.

To everyone who always reads my posts, and to everyone who gives me likes and follows, thank you so much.
I hope you all can spend every day with a healthy body for a long time to come.

~Notice of Article Introduction~

★Mumei S note-san

They introduced my article "#341 A Town That Is Close, Yet Far."
Thank you!

~Notice of Magazine Addition~

★Mumei S note-san

They added "#1 Self-Introduction: My First Note" and "Casual and Relaxed Note #56 - A Little Venting Is Also Medicine for the Heart -" to their magazine.
They have added my work to many magazines before as well. I think it's wonderful that they create so many magazines and support various Noters!
Because of this magazine addition, I read my very first article for the first time in a while... it's so fresh. Even though it was two years ago, the memory feels distant (laughs).
Thank you as always!

★RIKA-san

Thank you for adding "Casual and Relaxed Note #56 -A little bit of complaining is also medicine for the heart-". When I think of RIKA-san, I have an image of wonderful cooking articles, but the "Wonderful Words" series is also lovely, isn't it?
Recent postsAmong the words mentioned in , my favorite is "Life over work." I truly think that is exactly right.
For me, it's life over work, and writing over work!
Thank you as always!

★Perin-san

Thank you for adding "Casual and Relaxed Note #56 -A little bit of complaining is also medicine for the heart-". I was very impressed by the article you posted the other day, "Even if you forget the heat, the 'it was delicious' won't disappear".
Humans tend to think negatively, but I believe we are creatures with a high ability to convert the past into something positive. Articles that allow for such realizations are one of your charms, Perin-san!
Thank you as always!

★YeKu-san

Thank you for adding "#341 A city that is close, yet far".
The other day, YeKu-san celebrated your 3rd anniversary of note activities.
And now, as a 3rd-anniversary commemoration, a wonderful giveaway project is being held.

There are 4 types of gifts in total. All of them are truly attractive.
By the way, I chose one for my new life starting in May. I want to improve my quality of life in my new life! I am praying that I win! (laughs).
Everyone, please do apply as well.
And once again, congratulations on your 3rd anniversary♪