The S Curve

In a recent course that I attended on organization development, I learnt another interpretation of the "S" curve.

Growing up with a curve that has been simply called "inverted S", I have been rather sensitive to this term. It was therefore interesting for me to know that it has a rather different meaning in another field of study. In this case, the "S" curve refers to the learning/adapting process of any living entity undergoing change, it could apply to an individual or to an organization.

Simply put, anyone learning something new or going through a period of transition will experience some confusion and performance would be affected, hence a dip. Once past that phase, the person will experience a period of growth and maximum efficiency until he/she peaks, and goes into a decline. Understanding this "S" curve therefore helps an individual or an organization become more self-aware, and the need to assess whether there is a need to start on a new project/life stage. The general understanding is that it is better to move into the new phase just before the person/organisation peaks, so that one changes/transforms even when there is no need to, in anticipation of the decline that would come.

It is interesting, is it not?

The "S" curve serves to bring one into more awareness of growth and decline, in both fields of study. Does it not bring a good amount of reassurance? That "S" is simply a curve, and it's a curve that can be managed.  

If you know someone with scoliosis, tell them it's ok to be curvy!

I'm not sure about the scoliosis journey that others have travelled, but in my experience, I have always felt a little misunderstood. My family wasn't quite sure how to manage this condition, which was not common amongst the people that they know. Well-intentioned advice from relatives about the need to watch my posture seemed to suggest to a young me then, that it was me not standing or sitting properly that caused my condition.

I'm glad that things have advanced medically since then, and more people know about scoliosis now. But do they know how to show support and appreciation for those who are on this journey? So, if you do know someone, tell them it's ok to be curvy!

Doing my bit for scoliosis awareness month :)

Raindrop Therapy

I've tried massages to ease the backaches before but the relief they bring is temporary, as the accumulation of the day's labour makes itself known at the end of the day. Little did I know that the "structural integrity" of the spine is so important, and how I look back to the time when it was "integrated". I exaggerate, my spine has not gone to pieces :)

The preamble leads to this - raindrop therapy. What comes to your mind when you first hear this term? I  wasn't quite sure what to expect. A friend who shared with me how essential oils have helped in the common ailments of her family members, recommended this treatment and asked me to give it a try. I have a vague inkling of how oils work - the skin absorbs the oil, and it becomes smooth. It is a nightly routine for ladies who apply oils and lotions of all kinds, with the aim to retard aging. But, how would essential oils, no matter how poetically named, ease backaches? Curious, I decided to give it a shot.

Curiosity reaped its gains, and I do feel better, the aches have not disappeared completely, but I do feel the improvement. In time, who knows?

To the osteopath

'It's not fibromyalgia, that's absolute rubbish in your case. What you have is chronic muscle tension and with exercise, it can be managed."

That laid to rest whatever lingering concern I have with regard to the ache in my back. And further strengthens my resolve to make back-friendly exercises a key part of my lifestyle. The upside? I'll probably have really strong gluteus maximus.

CoreSuspend Class

I was urged by the kind lady at my Pilates studio to give CoreSuspend class a try. I was a little apprehensive at first but it was a good workout! It was demanding but fun at the same time. What I like best was the superman pose, it's like flying without wings. The instructor was also very understanding about my jitters when it came to inversion and I managed it under his supervision. Looking forward to more classes!

Pilates class today

It's the second group class of ten that I signed up. I took up pilates at a friend's recommendation, and it helps me to be aware of the different muscles that keep movement purposeful and body strong. How different it feels! I still have a long way to go, but it's a good start!

In today's class, after a 3 months' break to give the back pain a rest, I was able to follow most of the movements on the reformer except the last 2 sets. One requires me to balance on a ball while working the legs and the abs, it was difficult and I opted to just lie on the reformer without the ball. The other requires me to work the inner thighs and butt. The repetitions of forward movements, lifts and circular movements tired the muscles out, a clear indication that I need to do this set on my own daily to build up the muscles.

It feels good to sweat, really :)

Idiopathic scoliosis?

This word has been part of  my vocabulary since I was 13. And up until now, I do not know what it means. Or to be more accurate, I do know what it means but the meaning sheds no further light to one being diagnosed with it.

Idiopathic: no known cause

And that is true of up to 80% of scoliosis patients. Why does the spine curve abnormally in otherwise healthy adolescents? There have been many causes suggested, nutrition, genetic, environmental but none of them were ever proven.

Diagnosis is apparently made via exclusion, once a pronounced curve is observed. The good news of being diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis meant that you have been tested negative for paralytic, neurological, congenital causes. The condition is therefore, unlikely to be complicated by further issues.

However, as one who has been there, and experienced the many questions associated with the cause being unknown, I still wonder when will medical knowledge and technology be able to shed light on the cause of the majority of scoliosis patients. I wonder about this because knowing the cause would likely help future parents and healthcare professionals better prevent it from developing in the young child.