Assisted stretching hurts A LOT. I found my primal scream while being pulled, stretched and massaged over the past year. As I continue to attend fitness classes, I thank those beautiful instructors that get up and encourage me to push myself despite the pain. As I grimace, pass gas and push my limited volume of oxygen (VO2) to the point I almost pass out.
I celebrate when I feel a small improvement in flexibility in my lumbar spine. I am grateful that a tumor in my back continues to shrink and as it does so, it removes the choke hold on my lower back. I am grateful that I find it easier to stand up straight and that I can sit at a chair without pain.
