Life as an activist is quite tumultuous. When you’re not devising plans to convince people your cause is worthy of attention and care, you’re out on the street, holding signs, or carrying heavy banners, megaphones, or supplies (water, medical kits, flyers).
Then there are the long hours you spend planning and organizing rallies and activities, shoulders hunched over a laptop screen or a drawing board. All these add up, and the first to start complaining will be your spine.
If you want to continue being an active defender of the cause(s) closer to your heart, it’s essential to take care of yourself first. And this involves paying attention to the signs your body is sending.
The Hidden Physicality of Grassroots Work
Most forms of advocacy involve a physical aspect. From standing or sitting for a long time, without much of a break, to carrying heavy items that shift your center of gravity. Even flyer distribution or equipment setup can become problematic due to the repetitive nature of the movements.
Consistently forcing your spine into unnatural positions creates misalignments that, in time, lead to various problems, like tech-neck, back pain, or earlier onset of cervical stenosis (a problem often associated with old age).
Recognizing the Red Flags of Cervical Stenosis
Because stenosis involves the spinal cord and nerves, the symptoms often show up far away from the neck, such as:
- Radiculopathy: Shooting pain, numbness, or “electric shocks” down the arms
- Hand clumsiness: Difficulty with fine motor tasks, like buttoning a shirt or handwriting
- Balance issues: You might feel unsteady on your feet when standing
- Chronic stiffness: A persistent locking sensation in the neck
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to talk with a doctor. If this means taking a break from protesting, then so be it. You need to be healthy to continue advocating.
Modern Interventions for Restoring Mobility
When the spine is misaligned, the nerves that run up and down this delicate structure are caught in the crossfire. This is why you feel shooting pain going down your arm/leg or numbness/tingling.
Nerve pain is a clear sign that something is wrong, and if caught early, it can be corrected with non-invasive treatments. But if you’re already experiencing severe radiating pain or loss of motor skills, you may need more advanced procedures, like specialized laminectomy surgery.
It may sound scary, but it could be the only option to prevent permanent nerve damage and restore your ability to remain active in the field. You’re not afraid to speak truth to power, so you shouldn’t let a perfectly safe and minimally invasive health procedure scare you either.
Prioritizing Self-Care for Long-Term Impact
Your spine is a critical piece of infrastructure in your advocacy career, so treat it well. Make a habit of fact-checking your posture and observe when it’s most likely to be hunched over something (your phone or a sign).
Next, check your gear. Your protesting kit shouldn’t hinder your activity and inflict long-term damage on your spine. Keep it balanced and minimal.
Finally, always listen to your body’s signs. Any tingling, unexplained numbness, or even pain from standing too long should not be ignored. And if you do end up getting surgery, follow the doctor’s recommendations to the letter. While your cause is important, your health must always come first!
