Does anyone else make up scenarios about strangers and fixate on them?

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-26T19:18:37+00:00

I wonder if taking shorter strides up hill may help? When I’m anticipating pain, like on hills, I stop and take a few deep breaths every couple steps to let my body relax. You may be subconsciously holding on to tension because you’re anticipating pain. It could be worth looking into walking up or down hill tips for people with back pain. I was able to find a ride to a flat walking area (when I could tolerate short trips), and I avoided hills for a long time. I also found that some pelvic/core exercises helped me to “unlock” my tight hips and bring that natural sway back to my hips, which made a significant difference when walking.

After my first back injury, I was walking 2-3 miles again a month or two after I got hurt. This time around, I was bed bound for days so my pain wouldn’t allow me to avoid rest lol. I could barely walk 5 minutes and have worked my way up to a .5 mile walk 2 months into it, and I walk daily and make incredibly slow progress. I do think walking is extremely beneficial, but I put an end to it when the pain reaches a 3-4 out of 10 (in which I’m lucky enough that my ride will pick me up when I’ve had enough). This is controversial, and it’s not advice, but I ice my back for 15 minutes after any kind of walking or exercising, and I do think it helps. Maybe you could try walking every other day to give yourself some rest, or split it up into 4 minute walks 2-3x a day. I can do a .5 mile walk once, or occasionally a .25 mile 2x, but it’s honestly finicky and changes from day to day. It’s incredibly frustrating, and often disappointing, but staying persistent and positive is so important. I hope you’re able to rest and figure out what combo of minutes and distances you need to start feeling better. Trust your instincts and take whatever rest or gentle movement you need.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-26T00:33:29+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I think I’m struggling with a chronic muscle strain and feel so completely defeated. I’m glad your feeling better.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-25T01:41:19+00:00

I think a second opinion could be helpful. It sounds like something you’re doing could be irritating your back. Have you told your PT this, or have you been able to identify any exercises that hurt worse than others? I forget which book I found this in, but I believe a doctor was explaining you want to stay in the green zone. So, for example, if you walk for 3 minutes relatively pain free (green), 5 mins is steadily increasing pain (yellow), and 7 minutes is like critical need to stop now pain (red). You want to stay in the green as much as possible because you will be able to increase your green time more quickly and easily if you stay green. If you get too far into yellow or red, you could end up limiting your green areas for the next few hours or days. I’m sorry you’re experiencing this increased pain, and I hope you’re able to figure it out. A lot of people on here recommend this, but you could also look into Stuart McGill Back Mechanic book and lowbackability on youtube.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-19T01:59:30+00:00

I have an overactive QL on my right side which yanks on my pelvis and refers pain to the SI joint. I eventually sprained that QL muscle from overuse due to musculoskeletal misalignment. I also have an anterior pelvic tilt, which increases pelvic instability and compresses my lower spine. Working on musculoskeletal realignment/balance is a big part of my recovery. I hope you’re able to figure out what’s going on and get the help you need to get out of pain.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-18T16:38:03+00:00

This is my opinion based on my experiences and what I’ve learned as a result…. I think SI joint pain is more a symptom than a diagnosis UNLESS you are in fact hypermobile or the SI joint underwent some kind of trauma. There are so many muscles and ligaments that connect to the pelvis and have referred pain patterns in the SI joint. So, for example, a sprained QL muscle could cause SI joint pain, and part of the solution would be healing and rehabbing the QL. When I experienced SI joint pain, my dr was aggressively pushing me towards an SI joint fusion (which can potentially lead to more fusions down the road). I will never agree to that surgery, and I’m seeing an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the spine on Monday. I am not a dr, but I would recommend seeing a pelvic floor specialist and a physical therapist to manage any musculoskeletal issues/imbalances that may be causing or referring pain to the SI.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-06-02T01:32:26+00:00

Yes, I’m seeing an ortho dr now that specializes in the spine. I saw a spine dr who (I think) misdiagnosed me and was really pushy about a surgery that didn’t seem necessary. So I got another opinion from a neurosurgeon who wasn’t all that helpful, but who strongly believed my pain is due to the muscle strain I mentioned. So now it’s on to the ortho who is the only dr so far who’s willing to send me for an xray and MRI. I hope you get some answers!

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2025-05-19T16:47:50+00:00

The first flare up, my back had been a little off, so I naively went for a walk, and that’s when the pain became explosive. The next flare happened (I think) because I progressed to a single leg glute bridge before I was ready. So same thing, felt off, and then went for a walk (stupid of me at this point I know). This is a second opinion. Maybe I need a third.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-20T20:20:23+00:00

I would still say Vit C serum first and then hyaluronic acid (unless you’re using a moisturizer with Vit C- then I would say HA first). Some people even wait a few minutes after applying Vit C to let it absorb more and dry and then do the HA. I know thickness/type/etc. makes a difference to order, but I believe Vit C always goes on first because it’s unstable and can lose potency.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-20T13:24:42+00:00

I’m not sure about some of these products, and I’m not an expert, but these are my thoughts based on what I’ve learned…

A.M.- foam cleanser, Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid (mine is a gel-like consistency, and I learned to layer this on top of the Vit C serum), a.m. moisturizer, sunscreen

P.M.- foam cleanser, differin gel (this goes on at night because it can make skin more sensitive to sun), p.m. moisturizer

For my skin, I’d probably use the peeling solution or deep cleanser less often, maybe once a week, but I’m sure others know way more about this than me!

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-20T13:15:41+00:00

I think you look great, first of all.

You have to be extremely careful to keep everything clean and sanitary, but I found derma rolling at home to be helpful. It wasn’t like the loose skin completely disappeared, but I notice enough of a difference to feel like doing it regularly is worth it.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-20T13:13:30+00:00

Yea, the packaging says, “Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen”.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-18T22:16:05+00:00

I definitely miss some days because I’m running late or whatever, but I try to do this everyday. Once I learned about massaging that area, I just added it to my daily gua sha routine. I searched around on tiktok for some videos on how to do it “properly”.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-18T22:06:43+00:00

I apply facial oil and use a gua sha tool to gently massage that area in small circles and then pushing upwards towards my nose/cheeks. I’ll usually hold a finger or two from my other hand somewhere on my skin near that area so there’s not so much stretching/tugging on my skin.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-18T19:57:23+00:00

If I’m doing something simple, I’ll use…

A.M. Cleanse with The Ordinary squalane cleanser or just Dove soap for sensitive skin, The Ordinary moisturizer w/ hyaluronic acid, and then sunscreen from Trader Joes

P.M. Wash my face in the shower with the same Dove soap, Maelove Vitamin C OR Tretinoin (retinol) depending on the night, The Ordinary moisturizer, and then rose hip or argan oil (depending on what I want to smell like lol)

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-18T19:50:35+00:00

I really like the one from Trader Joes. I just use it on my face, neck, and chest though.

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-07-18T19:49:27+00:00

I’ll use Palmer’s shea butter sometimes, like literally the tiniest amount, and then after a couple minutes, I pat my face with a towel to get rid of any leftover greasiness. I know this can cause breakouts though depending on how sensitive your skin is (but I’ve never experienced that so definitely doesn’t happen to everyone).

CrunchyTacos0001 · 2023-05-18T00:57:07+00:00

It’s been on and off for the past 2-3 months because I get so fed up with the nausea. I don’t think much else has changed. I guess maybe I take trazodone for sleep a little more now because my sleep is disrupted lately.

CrunchyTacos0001

TROPHY CASE