One painful memory that I will take with me straight into 2023. Is that on Tuesday morning December 27, 2022, I injured my back? I didn’t fall; nor was I attempting to lift some heavy weight; nor was I wrestling with anyone; nor was I exercising strenuously in the gym. I was merely sitting on the large circular sofa in my hall. Yet I was able to inflict on myself an injury so severe that instantaneously I was experiencing excruciating pain in my lower back. I started to reminisce that during the night I had to throw off my blankets and lie on my bed with my body uncovered. Because the air was so hot. Apparently, I had caught a cold in that part of my body and it was now inflamed. I got up, went to the kitchen, and gradually imbibed a mug full of hot Moringa, Prekese, Ginger, Cloves, and Pineapple tea. This concoction had worked perfectly in the past when I took it for any inflammation. But on this occasion the pain although slightly mollified nevertheless persisted with renewed vengeance.
Over a period of many years, I developed and nurtured the habit of helping myself. Whether it was in the area of doing my own cooking, washing and ironing my own clothes, or simply cleaning my own apartment. In the area of my own health maintenance, I had become quite proficient. I went to the pharmacy and obtained a medication that I had used in the past to ameliorate inflammation in my right arm and it worked very well. I started taking this same medication twice daily to help with the pain in my back. The benefits were not as immediately forthcoming as I had imagined. Accordingly, I called a friend of mine. His qualifications are Lay Preacher, Herbalist, Village Shaman, and quack Chiropractic Physician. He lives with his family in the Village of Brenyekwa and he invited me to his home. I went and since I had already described my problem to him he instructed me to lie face down on his Chiropractic table. After that, he executed upon different joints and parts of my body the very same maneuvers to which I had been subjected. When I visited appropriately credentialled and licensed professionals in the states of Wisconsin and New York, USA.
That appointment helped somewhat. Especially, since he was experienced enough to call an acquaintance of his, at The Holy Family Hospital, in Berekum. To arrange a CT Scan for me. I went to that facility on Friday morning December 31st. After completing that procedure the technician charged me 150.00 GHS (US$10.00). Thereafter, he summoned me over to where he was seated. To show me on his computer screen. A picture of the problem that was causing such excruciating pain in my lower back. He pointed directly to two open areas on my spinal cord and advised me that I had herniated two discs in my lower back. So much for my ‘hair brain’ theory that I had caught a cold in that area of my anatomy. I learned once again that sensible people should never try to diagnose themselves. I brought my present medical condition upon myself by poor posture. I learned for the umpteenth time that sitting properly at all times is mandatory. My back needed to rest comfortably against the upright section of a 90° angled chair/back support.
Many deep and conflicting thoughts marched through my mind. Since I’m a Christian why didn’t The Almighty and omnipresent God, Whom I try to serve fervently, prevent the occurrence of this misfortune? After all, doesn’t the Bible clearly teach that God is everywhere? The Psalmist David assures us of this wonderful reality when he wrote, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV). These thoughts of mine were very human. It is one of the conditions of our sinful mortality to vainly attempt to escape any responsibility for our own ineptitude. Always or often attempting in vain to blame a higher power for the misfortunes which we bring upon ourselves. Lucifer himself is fully aware of the human proclivity to carelessness, stupidity, and recklessness. Therefore he tempted The Saviour to indulge in this sinful trait. “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Matthew 4:5-7 (NKJV).
Not even the Son of The Highest would venture to needlessly place Himself in danger, merely to authenticate one of God’s promises. We should resolve to faithfully follow His example. As mere creatures, it’s inevitable that we will make mistakes. Providence does not intervene to prevent such eventualities. Because we learn from our errors. When such mishaps also cause us pain they become unforgettable chips in our psyche. Thirty years ago I suffered the same injury by inappropriately using my right leg to force the closure of a garage door that had been defectively installed. I eventually recovered from that condition with appropriate medical intervention and lots of walking. Now, I would have to repeat those same therapeutic modalities with a few caveats. I’m no longer in my forties. Accordingly, I will need to ensure that my daily intake of iron, calcium, and magnesium is adequate to ensure that my bones remain strong. Frequent medical checkups should become an important part of my annual regimen. Moreover, I should also continue to walk. Generally, I walk about five miles daily. According to the best medical authorities, spending 31/2 miles daily on shank’s pony is adequate. Some of the health benefits of walking include:
- Add years to your life
- Bolster your brain
- Lose weight
- Improve your vision
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Facilitate relaxation
- Ward off depression
- Promote health and fitness
(AARP: EIGHT GREAT REASONS TO WALK MORE, By Barbara Stepko June 1, 2020).
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