The Cost of Recovery

I have been thinking a lot lately of writing post around all the aspects of recovery and how we individually have to manage our own recovery.  It was going to be about acting as our own project manager and not relying on the doctor, surgeon, or physical therapist to drive our our recovery.  And I think I will write it in the next few few days.  But I wanted to precede it with the cost of the recovery.

We all have the some of the same costs: insurance, co pays, out of pocket expenses.  And these expenses hurt - I know they hurt.  For most people that is where it ends.  I have seen it many times before. And because of the cost of health care, I totally understand why.

But we must be willing to continue spend to take our recovery to 100% and  keep ourselves healthy and age gracefully.  Surgery and traditional physical therapy (and insurance) will only get you so far.  You must be willing to dig deeper (into your pocket book) to save yourself from a life of pain

Personally I have spent several thousands of dollars on Pilates, Feldenkrais, massage, and chiropractors, and books of all kinds, among others.  To me these are worthwhile expenses - and they are worthwhile expenses now.  The reason I believe so is that the way we recover and rebuild our bodies 2 years after the injury will pay dividends on how how bodies feel 10 years from now.  It is just sound logic.  Father time is ticking and older age has a way of resurfacing injuries that weren't completely dealt with when we were younger.

Now I am fortunate that I can afford some money out of pocket to pay for my recovery.  And I have often paid for private lessons.  But you can do it on the cheap.  Take books out of the library.  Take a Pilate's class at the local community center or YMCA.  Go to a massage school and act as one of the test clients.  Spend what you have but invest in your body today so you can reap the rewards tomorrow.

All in all, it is that you have to spend some money beyond the co pays and out of pocket expenses to get yourself healed.  And you will need to do more self care to stay at 100%, whatever that is for you.  For me I am not there yet but I am only 8 months into my recovery.  That means I am going to invest heavily in myself over the next 12-16 months.  I'll keep you posted on the payoff.

Thanks for reading...