Knee and hip pain - what does it really mean?🎧
Are knee and hip pain related? How to relieve it physically, mentally. Did you know there is an emotional connections to knee and hip pain? Plus a quick easy side dish baked cheesy broccoli-so good!
Last week while discussing anhedonia, I touched on knee and hip pain. This week, I’ll delve deeper into the topic of knee and hip pain and what it means. I’m also sharing my personal journey with knee and hip pain and what it signified for me.
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The above picture is not the exact one in my 2024 calendar, in fact only the mushroom is highlighted for November. This beauty was in the Rolling Hills State Park right outside my bedroom window. I was super excited to let my imagination go wild. In this picture I thought, lets go for an after work pub scene. You know, share a doughnut and some champaign to celebrate the weekend.
Fantastical fairy scenes and vibrant colors await in the enchanting Fungi Fairy Scenes 2024 Desktop Calendar Covering January through to December 2024. There is still time to get your very own copy. You can order the calendar here or if you would like to get your copy for free hit the orange button below and subscribe for a year of shifting and releasing.
Knee and hip pain - what does it really mean?
To be completely honest, I hesitated to share my personal perspective with what I have been going through with my knee and hip pain. It feels vulnerable to open up like this. I nearly deleted those lines from last week's post to avoid sharing. But then I realized a couple of things:
By sharing, I might encourage others going through something similar to contemplate a shift or to find encouragement to take a step forward.
Avoiding vulnerability limits my growth and hinders my ability to help others grow.
What is vulnerability any way? Fear!
I'm confronting this fear because I refuse to let fear hold me back. I'm facing it head-on and sharing despite the discomfort. It's the direction I want to move in—to learn, grow, and expand.
Last week, I watched 'Leave the World Behind' on Netflix. A conversation in the movie struck me:
“Some of my smartest clients have lost a lot of money because they based their choices on preconceived beliefs instead of truth. Seeing the difference is one of the hardest things a person can do.
The scary ones, though, are the ones who don’t learn. Even after they lose lots of money and I mean lots, of money
Nothing frightens me more than a person unwilling to learn even at their own expense. That’s a darkness I will never understand. “
This struck a cord, not the money part, but about;
Making choices based on ingrained beliefs and shying away from challenging those beliefs, preferring the safety of familiarity. We tend to stay in our comfort bubbles and attract others who believe in our values.
Recognizing the difference between beliefs and truth is incredibly tough. Embracing a new truth leaves us feeling vulnerable and alone, sparking fear and anxiety, urging us to retreat to the familiar, even if it's not where we want to be.
Seeing the difference is one of the hardest things a person can do, indeed. Once we open up to a new way of thinking, or a new truth, we are in a place of vulnerability, the unknown, blindness. We feel alone. This leads to fear, anxiety and the pit of your stomach screaming for us to retreat backwards and stay safe.
My work with clients ranges from personal growth coaching to health coaching (and I use that term loosely, I am not a health coach). I will coach a client’s health back to homeostasis meaning they have no more pain, aches, pooping amazing, tons of energy, feeling joyous, happy and on top the world. A couple of months later, I will get a call, they are right back where they started, full of pain, aches, misery and their familiar pattern.
How does the song go by Simon and Garfunkle?
Hello darkness, my old friend I've come to talk with you again.
Why do we return? Because we know what pain, suffering, and numbness feels like. We know what to expect from it. Even though we do not like, it is comforting.
When we learn a new truth or learn something new, it is unfamiliar, it is the unknown, we do not know what to expect, we have no familiarity, we lack the confidence to believe it in, to try it out, It can be down right unnerving and scary. Fear sets in, we can not handle it and we retreat back to what we know. Even if that familiarity is not where we want to be, it is safer than not knowing where we will be. Or, worse, what happens if we fail?
Every year, I would want to try something new but was in fear of losing those who followed me. Fear that no one would share in my vision. Every October, my knee and hip pain flared up when I contemplated changing my direction. Walking became unbearable. Not just while walking, knee and hip pain when lying down was also unbearable. I had to prop a pillow under my left knee to sleep. But, why? What causes knee and hip pain at the same time?
Knee and hip pain - what does it really mean?
Knee and hip pain, as you'll discover, are intertwined with moving forward and letting go.
General hip issues signal a conflict between the heart's desires, spiritual growth, and the mind. It's about feeling immobilized due to fear of the future and lacking support.
Right hip pain involves intense conflict about fitting into the world, feeling like a misfit.
Left hip pain reflects a sense of not belonging, a lack of connection, and discomfort with vulnerability.
These feelings mirrored my contemplation of changing my direction with my newsletter followers including those and on social media.
Leaving social media as an influencer drew silence. Not a single person reached out after my last post in January 2022. Instead of retreating, I realized it was time for a shift.
This mere act empowered me. I no longer felt the anxiety and stress coming up with content for myself and companies, I stopped doom-scrolling and no more checked ins. It was peaceful, blissful. I took a part of myself back. Seriously, give it a go for one month without any social media contact and experience how liberating it is.
This one shift opened me up to feeling less fear and ultimately opened me up to more shifts leading me to where I am today. My hip and knee issues, both physical and spiritual, tied into these changes including;
Stiff joints signify resistance to change and moving forward. Hip joint problems indicate reluctance and a lack of trust in the universe.
Right hip joint issues are tied to fear of conflicts if change occurs.
Left hip joint problems signify disconnection, avoidance of vulnerability, and trust issues.
As I pondered a Substack change, these feelings lingered unconsciously, manifesting physically. I remember using the words of change, evolving and shifting. And soon, I was eating uncontrollably, and atrophying physically, mentally and spiritually
I am curious as I share this, do you suffer with hip problems, hip pain or joint issues? Has anything here, sparked an interest? Or has you thinking about your own journey?
The intensity of my knee pain reached a point where walking became impossible, necessitating the use of a brace. Despite undergoing ultrasound and x-ray examinations that revealed no structural issues, I hesitated to confront the underlying cause, sensing it but not yet prepared to acknowledge it.
Like hip pain, knee pain connections are similar. Knee pain is intricately linked to the spiritual and physical realms. Typically, issues with knees encompass significant shifts, clashes between established beliefs and actual truths, resistance to life's changing course, struggles with self-worth, societal acceptance, reluctance to embrace spontaneity and fluidity, a difficulty in adapting to change, and a lack of connection with one's higher self.
The right knee commonly reflects profound struggles in choosing and aligning with one's true self, grappling with questions of identity, societal norms, and the manifestation of destiny.
On the other hand, the left knee signifies a realization that the fundamental pillars of stability, such as beliefs, spiritual values, destiny paths, and community connections, no longer resonate or hold true significance. This conflict runs deep, involving uncertainty about the direction to pursue and how to manifest one's identity, purpose, and destiny in life.
When I initially sought to shift directions two years ago, I encountered numerous tangible obstacles. The most significant challenge was discovering a platform for writing that didn't come with a hefty cost. The platform I initially opted for turned out to be unsatisfactory, leading me further into a mindset of feeling trapped. My website compounded this sense of being stuck. However, when Substack materialized, it resolved all my website and newsletter issues. It made me question: How could I continue to feel immobilized?
Throughout the past year, I grappled with my sense of self and desired a transition towards a coaching and assisting role. I pondered over weight loss, illness, and disease, seeking to identify what was lacking. Observing those stuck in monotonous, discontented careers for years on end, I contemplated the missing elements.
As I delved deeper into these thoughts, I resonated with a sense of soulful alignment in this impending shift. However, the contemplation of this shift stirred a whirlpool of doubts. What if no one engages? What if my intentions remain unseen? What if neither my worth nor theirs is recognized? Do I truly deserve this? Who am I to consider myself worthy? What if I fail to communicate my vision effectively?
Knee pain, hip pain, knee pain, hip pain, knee pain, hip pain, knee pain……
I genuinely dislike marketing because, in my view, it resembles a falsehood. It mirrors the political landscape where candidates make grand promises but often fail to fulfill them once elected. Despite our awareness of this pattern, we seem to fall victim to it every four years! Marketing operates similarly; it involves hiring copywriters, probing for consumers' pain points, and crafting products or services to be so irresistible that emotions overpower our sensibility, leading us to purchase. Yet, this cycle often results in repeated disappointment.
There are numerous times over the years where I have not put out a product or service because I can not bring myself to go to the depths of desperation to try and woo someone into an emotional purchase. In my world, you are either in because you want change, or you suffer on the side lines. I am too spiritually exhausted to woo.
I see now, that if I have a really good service or product that I know can help shift your life, I will have to hire the perfect person to woo you into submission, so I can save my energy. So, sad!
To be completely transparent, I often find myself on the outskirts. My perspective differs; I foresee things before they materialize, sense upcoming trends well ahead of their time. I stand apart—I don't adhere to the current trends or follow mainstream shows or pop culture. My disconnect from the world's happenings stems from a belief that much of it lacks truth and confronting the reality feels too distressing, sapping energy from everyone affecting spirituality and positive energy. I occasionally attempt to connect, but more often, I'm drawn to disengaging.
The back of my knee kept bulging out causing my entire knee to swell. What the heck is going on? Why do I have this knee pain? I had to tune in.
Behind the knee problems;
Right missing links, unable to cope and function effectively and not being able to grasp the secret for success.
Left Knee; feeling like a alien in a strange world. Not feeling like other people or able to connect and feeling cut off from the realities of this earth
My left knee embodies an alien amidst an unfamiliar world. I sense a disconnection from the realities of Earth because I'm often immersed in visions. It's challenging to articulate, but I have a strong sense of what lies ahead. With AI advancements, the rise of household robots, virtual reality goggles, and the prevalent issue of online loneliness, I foresee a growing inclination among people to seek genuine physical experiences and break away from the norm.
We are going to reach a point where we want to think for ourselves and that is why I am shifting. I want to be the coach that coaches true health; mentally and physically for the shift that is coming.
As I embraced this role more deeply, my healing process accelerated. Releasing old truths and behaviors forms just one facet of this journey; it's a blend of various approaches—nutrition, addressing deficiencies, lifestyle adjustments, and considering environmental factors—that collectively contribute to the healing process. Once I tuned into what my knee and hip were trying to tell me, I incorporated several things to help facilitate the healing;
I used my somatic -kinetics to try and tap into what was going on and listened to what my body and higher self were trying to tell me
I intuivitely knew I needed to supplement with boron, zinc, manganese to help support the structure of my knees and hips.
Upon receiving my GI MAP results, I discovered elevated levels of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Consequently, I commenced antimicrobial treatment. These bacteria have the potential to infiltrate the synovial fluid, leading to swelling and joint discomfort, affecting not only the knees but various joints. My stagnant behaviors and unconscious resistance to progress created vulnerabilities, offering these microbes an opportunity to thrive. Interestingly, these microbes also exhibit a consciousness, influenced by our own consciousness. Were they enjoying in my unrest and resistance to shifting?
I also worked with a chiropractor to help build up my immune system and keep my hips and knees agile and fluid.
I used a lot of “I Am” statements, mediation, and released unwanted trapped childhood emotions and cosmic junk to get centered and move forward. There is still some residual twinges and twangs. In fact right now as I write this, I am fully aware of my left knee and hip. Interesting! These are just a sampling of the I AM statements I used;
I am fluid
I am at ease with moving forward
I am expanding
I am OK
I am excited to move forward
I returned to my Yoga routine, which significantly aided in regaining strength, particularly in my hips and knees. I'll openly share, it hasn't been easy and frustrating at times. My weak thighs directly impact my knees and hips. My focus has been on Yoga sessions emphasizing strength and hip expansion—I deeply appreciate it. The concept of expansion truly resonates with me.I love that word … expansion.
I started a 30 minute running/walking program my husband created. I will tell you right now, I am not a runner. His routine is a slow jog for 1 minute, followed by these weird moves he does then walking. Because of the knee and hip pain, I do not do those weird moves I just jog the extra minute followed by in place lunges until he catches up with his weird moves and lunges.
I tried lunging but it hurt my knees because my thighs are so weak. I didnt want to give in. Instead, I thought what can I do that involves strengthening my thighs? Squats. I do squats taking the strain off of my knees and hips. I can get 10 in before he catches up to me.
The pain in my knees and hips during running became excruciating at times. When it flares up, I turn to my "I am" affirmations and engage in a dialogue with my knee throughout the run. Surprisingly, my knee responds to this. I discuss the sensation of transitioning into my new path for the upcoming year and offer words of encouragement. I'm amazed—the knee pain diminishes. This experience truly underscores the immense influence of the mind and consciousness on the entirety of the physical self.
Our mind is more powerful than we think.
Our will is more powerful than we think.
Our consciousness is more powerful than we think.
The only one holding us back is us.
How do you go forward?
I'm certain that some of you, as you read or listen to this, might perceive me as amazing or inspirational. I don't see myself as either. My sole desire is to break free from stagnation and bitterness and share my experiences so that you can start pondering too. Here's the truth: you have the capability to do this as well. Free yourself from being stuck, become an inspiration, and live the life you aspire to lead.
2024, I will share what I did to shift. They were tiny shifts, but I am sharing it all. So, join me. You can get your free calendar if you hit the orange button below and subscribe for the year.
If you know it is time for a shift or a change, get a little coorie or hygge, grab the journal, a good soul soothing drink and allow your heart to pour out its thoughts and desires.
If you have on-going uncomfortableness or pain, (it does not have to be hip and knee pain) go into it.
Take 3 deeps breaths and breathe into where you feel uncomfortable.
Then, ask what can I do to release this tension?
Wait for an answer, it will be your voice that answers back, This is known as your higher self. Then write out what you are told.
Reflect, then continue to write.
What do I really want?
Where do I want to shift?
What do I need to shift?
What little steps can I do to begin to shift.
The answers are within you.
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🥦 Class A Side Dish Recipe 🥦
My cat Zazu loves, loves, loves broccoli. He goes bonkers until I give him some. I have to break it into small pieces so my aging toothless wonder can actually eat it and then he is good to go meowing for some raw meat!
Broccoli contains indole glucosinolates. In the stomach, these are broken down into compounds, including indolocarbazole (ICZ). ICZ binds to and activates aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR). I am sure this is way over your head and, not to worry. All you need to remember, these compounds positively affect the lining of the intestine aids in proper liver filtering and detoxification, helps to bolster the immune system and maintain balance in the gut microbiome. If you are suffering from knee and hip pain, or any type of joint pain add broccoli to your plate! These compounds help get the crap out of your joints and into the colon where it belongs.
It is absolutely amazing how what eat affects our gut microbiome. In return, our gut microbiome then dictates our level of health. Broccoli’s affect on our microbiome has the ability to
reduce cell damage caused by autoimmune and chronic diseases
protects against gastric cancer and non-cardiac gastric cancer
protects against colon cancer
gets the junk our your joints and tissues
keeps your liver and gallbladder healthy
Roasted Cheesy broccoli
This is probably the easiest and most delicious side dish you will make. Five cups of broccoli seems like a lot however, it will shrink and you will wish you had more!
Splurge and go for a block of parmesan cheese and finely shred, so worth it!
Prep 10 minutes
Cook time 40-45 minutes
Can be frozen and reheated in the HotLogic
Ingredients
5 cups broccoli florets
2 tb avocado oil or ghee
2 tsp each, Celtic sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 425
Add non-bleached parchment paper to a pan, set aside.
Chop the broccoli into bit sized chunks. With a vegetable peeler, peel the outer layer of the broccoli stalks then chop into bite sized pieces. Add to a large bowl.
Drizzle the 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, or if using ghee, melt the ghee and then drizzle over the broccoli. Add the Celtic sea salt and pepper, stir until the broccoli is well mixed with the oil.
Spread out the broccoli mixture evenly on the pan; bake in the oven on the higher rack for about 15 minutes or until slightly golden or brown on the bottom. Take out of the oven and flip the broccoli so the un-browned side is now on the bottom of the pan.
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over top, and bake in the oven for another 15 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted with a little golden color to it and the broccoli is browned.
Serve Immediately. So good!
If you want better health, explore the balance your mind and body are craving.
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Viszontlátásra jövő héten (See you next week)
~Karen