[provigil]

Hello everybody.

It's been a long while since I've been on the forum, mostly because I've been having internet problems since I moved to my new living place; I'm only able to successfully visit a very minute group of sites maybe 30% of the time I try.

Anyways, I've been forced to take a bit of a "post-kendo-vacation-vacation." In February of this year I decided to take a break from kendo because I was forced to deal with a barrage of family issues that, frankly, left me fairly depressed and zapped pretty much all motivation from me from everything. And I know that taking a break isn't what I should have done, or at least I don't believe that I should have, since kendo really is benefital in situations like that in my opinion, but logic is hardly the leading force when depression is the current mind-set.

Now, after I started to get back into my normal living routine, and was back to being obsessively excited about kendo, I started developing a series of aches, pains and a few swellings in my joints; the balls of my feet, my right hand, the muscles in both my arms and around my shoulder blades, my right knee, my left hip, and all along my back to be specific. Needless to say I made an appointment with a doctor, and he guessed that it was a form of arthritis, and then recommended me to a rheumatologist.

That was two monthes ago, and I still havn't been able to schedule an appointment with this rheumatologist. Apparently she has to review my medical records to deduce whether or not I need to be seen by her...because one doctor isn't good enough...? Hm.

Okay, so now on to my question. I know there are a good few people on this site with infinitely more medical knowledge and experience than me, and I was curious as to whether or not anyone knows of any ways to possibly curb some of this discomfort, at least in the balls of my feet. I know no one can really tell just by me decribing how I feel on here, and not being able to see me, but maybe some kind of activity or something that one of you have used that helped you with any similar-sounding problems?

I'd really appreciate any help, advice...magical healing secrets, that anyone has to offer. I can't even practice the most simple, basic kendo drills, like suriashi or sword-less suburi in this state, and it's really sucky.

And sorry for the lengthy post. It's been half a year and I thought I'd make up for a bit of lost time.

Thanks in advance!

[MAKEMONEY]

Sorry to hear this, not nice and frustrating too! I'm not a medic so I can't give you any specific advice in that area. However I have known people as young as you suffer from arthritic problems, which have been eased by changing their diets. One in particular felt a lot of improvement when she stopped eating wheat - whether that was the cause or whether it was just making an existing condition worse I don't know, but it definitely helped her.

[Caluabdum]

i too am sorry to hear about your difficulties.
aches and pains could just be due to the muscles having to work again. but the swelling is a definite bad sign

im not sure how it works in america, but here my gp (or the surgery's nurse) just took some quick blood tests to rule out rhuemetism, rather than referring me straight to a specialist

as for treatments etc. cant help much really
a quick google search came up wit things like this
http://www.altivoe.com/tendon_bone_treatment.html
not sure how useful that will be for you

keep strong

[alexosnasos2]

Drink lots of water, cod liver oil, glucosamine sulphate but more importantly; train at your level! There are kendoka out there that are too old to play a young man's game. Not implying that you are old btw, just an analogy.

Start small, aches are normal with any physical exercise. Your hip and knee problem suggests posture e.g. you may be using tension to keep kamae when you should be relaxed. Remember that you shouldn't put arm-power into your swings, let gravity do that for you.

Maybe try some yoga or pilates? it's all good.

I get pain in my knees due to my legs not being strong enough, a test: if you go down on one knee like you are proposing, lift up the rear foot so that it is not touching the ground and try to lift yourself up using only one leg... i find this impossible btw.