In September, 2010 my wife, Sue, and I attended a lecture by Dr. Nels Carlson on osteoarthritis.  His message changed our lives!  I have paraphrased it in one sentence:  Get off your sorry butt and move, because hurt does not equal harm.

Dr. Carlson is repeating his lecture at OHSU’s Health & Healing Center on September 19, 2012 from 7-8pm.  It’s life changing, free, and well worth your time.  Here is a link to preregister for this well worth your time lecture (http://www.ohsu/xd/health/ask-the-health-experts.cfm).   Two years after the lecture I’m still moving:  climbing stairs, hiking, doing projects at home and traveling.  Every day is filled with activity, movement, exercise, and fun.  Projects have included painting, building, pruning, and digging.

In the last two years, Aaron Saari of Beyond the Clinic gradually became the most important component of my treatment regime.  He’s been more effective than surgery, injections, or medications.  Aaron devises exercises which are creative and address problems as they arise.  He is flexible and innovative.  I am positive that I would not still be moving were it not for Aaron’s encouragement, understanding, and patience.

I have not written since March 2012 because the weather started improving and I’ve been busy with gloriously fun projects, trips and hikes.  Thanks to Dr. Carlson, Aaron and Sue who keep me moving.

-Rich-