A Little MS with a Little MSW

Do you know what I thought of when I heard the word ‘chronic’ as a young adult?

The Dr. Dre album.

Sometimes, I think about how terrible it is going to be to live the rest of my life with chronic pain. But, really, how fortunate was I to have not grasped the true nature of ‘chronic’ until my late 40’s? I know some people are old before their time, experiencing ailments that don’t seem to fit just right on the young, and I feel blessed to have spent such a large portion of my life pain and medication free.

It is amusing to me that Dr. Dre’s Chronic refers to cannabis. The good stuff. High-grade, potent pot. Which comes in quite handy to scores of people suffering from chronic pain. One thing is for sure: the decision makers in the states that haven’t even legalized medical marijuana, haven’t yet grasped the true nature of ‘chronic.’ Praise be.

I know what you are thinking, and no, I don’t use cannabis to control my pain. My lived experience with the meaning of chronic has actually brought me to yoga. I am in the process of becoming a certified instructor with the intention of incorporating the practice into my daily life as well as extending the benefits to my clients during therapy sessions.

My best advice to all of you, is that when life gives you ‘chronic’, buy a bong.

I’m kidding. (or not…)

Seriously, though, coping skills matter. Maybe pot IS in your coping repertoire. No judgement. I do rely on pain medication, but I am also heavy on self-care and have compiled a variety of tools/treatments/practices to help me cope. Life threw me a chronic pain in the ass shoulder, so now I throw it around in a bunch of ancient ass Indian poses. I’m grateful to be able to do so.