Last Updated on July 4, 2018 by Matthew Sockolov

Meditation Cured My Back Pain, But Not How You Think

If I was a kid now, I’d probably be on Ritalin. Or at least, I would have a year ago, prior to discovering thelife-altering world of meditation. My mind has always been super noisy. You know that annoying colleague who never, ever shuts up?

That was the constant voice in my head. Percy (he was around 24/7, so I figured I’d name him) had an opinion on everything. And it was generally negative. He had to go.

I tried ignoring him, I tried drowning him out with music and podcasts, I even tried yelling at him (not in public, obviously). Nothing worked. The dude was incessant.

By the time a friend of mine suggested I start meditating, I was willing to do anything. Back then, I scoffed at anything even remotely spiritual or airy-fairy. But desperate times and all that.

Short, guided meditations (with Percy offering running commentary throughout) progressed to longer, guided meditations (with Percy still commenting, but not as much).

By the time I took the training wheels off and started following my breath without guidance, Percy had grown bored. He still offered his unsolicited advice throughout the day, but during my morning meditation he was blissfully silent.

What Does Meditation Have to Do with Curing Back Pain?

So, what does meditation have to do with curing back pain? On the surface, nothing. But as anyone who’s been meditating for some time will tell you, sitting in silence offers up answers to questions you often don’t even know you have.

Figuring out how to cure my mild, but persistent, back pain was one such question. It had been around so long I’d just accepted it as part of everyday life. Not being nearly as annoying as Percy, I’d relegated fixing it to the back burner.

It turns out my body preferred to not to wait. One morning, while following my breath and reveling in the stillness of my mind, a single thought arose.

“Find an acupuncturist.”

Wait, what? Who said that? It was too well-intentioned to be Percy, so who was it?

Whoever it was, it was a really good suggestion. I knew well the benefits of acupuncture, but ever since my favorite needle man returned to China I’d turned my back on the modality.

My heart was broken. I missed Dr. Kuang and didn’t believe I’d ever find anyone to replace him. I visited a few acupuncturists after his departure, but they couldn’t hold a candle to the man who’d been my go-to health and wellness guy for so many years.

“Find an acupuncturist.”

Okay fine, clearly it was time to stop sulking and start being proactive in my search for a new needle man. I asked around and one recommendation led to another, all with lack luster results.

Pfft. Now what?

Be Open to Other Avenues of Healing

Bemoaning my lot in life to my girlfriends over Friday morning post-workout smoothies, I received two equally brilliant pieces of advice. One suggested I take up Pilates to strengthen my core. (I’m not going to lie, I nearly rolled my eyes.)

The other added that I should give physiotherapy a try and promptly sent me her therapist’s number. After two sessions I was sorted.

As for Pilates, I’m a convert. My 20-year-old self is probably horrified, she always referred to it as ‘old lady’ exercise. But I no longer have back pain, so she can go and commiserate with Percy for all I care.

For now, my physiotherapist and Pilates instructor will have to take the place of Dr. Kuang. His were big shoes to fill, so it’s fitting that it takes two people to do the job.

Author Bio:
Angela Horn is one of two urban hippies behind Mostly Mindful: a not-so-hardcore blog about buying less, doing more, and living sustainably in the city. Watch her TEDx Cape Town talk and join her on her mission to declutter the world.