Before you begin this update, please check the two previous entries with images. Anatomical details.

I break the entries into pieces because I have lost afternoons of work when the LOCALS platform went blank, certainly due to my own fault. So, to assure that I complete entries without loss, I upload in chunks. I appreciate you following these ongoing entries.

The images from the previous entry include detailed images of the skeleton with isolated anatomical closeups of the spinal vertebrae and ribs. The prior entries introduced Dukha as a concept and dukha in a recent experience where my rib cage splatted back into the mat. Linda the trauma massage therapist helped talk me back through the experience so that we might understand what needed to be re-stored / palpated into proper position. That is the fundamental starting point.

She had me visualize the impact in slow motion, how the force localized at the 4th rib of the chest, how the presssure of that force “splatted” the contents of my thoracic cavity — right lung, attachments of the diaphragm of the right side, and even just below the diaphragm into the abdominal cavity and upper sections of liver. Splat. Do you know what I mean? Something of a “contained splash” where a force compacts centrally and pushes out the side contents. Linda had me think in terms of a visual dynamic, a contained volume that receives a powerful local pressure.

Linda used her fingers to re-assert the diaphragm under the ribs, to lift the liver up. Her fingers “reminded” the tisssue where they belonged. She gently identified intercostal muscles, pec major and pectoralis minor to realign and remind them of their functional positions.. They were not detached but they were bruised and affected by the head spear impact.

Human muscle and connective tissue of fascia can be “displaced” or bruised not unlike an apple or a banana or mango. Of course, living human tissue is much more resilient and can respond in healing if given the right conditions.

To know the landscape of the damage with an intimate awareness based in visual image is the start of “right conditions.” Pratyahara. To visually imagine the force moving in the body allows healing. The pratyahara identifies the internal landscape and clarifies our strategy to “undo” impact and restore function. If nothing is actually broken, detached, cracked, split open or hemorrhaged, then bruises can heal. Sometimes it takes weeks, sometimes days, sometimes less.

In my case linda helped me to see the chest as safe, as bruised but not broken. I began to feel muscles moving into their proper place. When departing Linda’s studio, I knew the dukha moved in the proper direction.

Dukha/ Not so fast
Sleep remained a problem. Two days later the problem had returned and become clear. The impact’s force had moved through my chest into my back. I could move the arm but could not hold or sustain strength. To move the arm toward the heart’s median plane — adduction, and to move the arm open and away from the median plane —abduction, neither position sustained. With yoga postures and movement, with breath and pratyahara, I traced the line of weakness to the 5th thoracic rib beneath the shoulder blade on the right side of my back. A weakness and pain arose from the muscles there. They seemed compromised by lack of support. I traced the 5th rib toward the spine.

I lay on my back, tucked my knees, gripped a hand on each shin, moved on the floor. I rocked and pressured the upper back region into the floor with breath. I sensed the 5th rib’s connection to the 5th thoracic vertebra. There, the rib surface connects into the facets of the vertebra, held by bands of ligament. There. It was loose. The rib’s ligament connection to the facets of the 5th vertebra, not secure. The source of the problem became clear. The muscles may have been bruised but the rib’s normal attachment site did not hold. Instead of a the rib as an anchor, the rib twisted when the muscles contracted. The muscles attached to that 5th rib could perform their functions. The muscles could contract, but their anchored rib turned. So instead of holding solid from the spine, that 5th rib had gotten banged loose. Aha. As I acted upon that visual image, the pain, the dukha edged softer.

Path of Healing / Sukha
The solution has been to visit Homer several times over consecutive days. Each day is a renewal and a “reset” of the region. The ligament feels “sticky.” With pranic support up from the lumbar spine as well as pranic support down from the neck, Homer’s chiropractic hands remind my body how to hold the vertebral alignment so the rib “drops” into place.

I focus on maintaining the spinal alignment with breath. That alignment reminds the rib. I make no extra demands of my arm. I move the arm consciously with full conscious breath delivery and connection. I move the arm gently but not gingerly. With conscious attention I find the effortless effort. I know the rib is healing quickly but at its own pace.

Tomorrow, I might be able to record a video of light practice of renewal — Sukshma Vayaam variations. Will keep you posted.