Snow Brings Heat (Capsaicin and Me)

This past weekend it snowed. It was a light, fluffy sort of snow, but there was enough accumulation that I needed to shovel the driveway. It didn't take long and wasn't too strenuous so I got the job done and didn't think too much about it. Until the backache started, that is.

As anyone who has read my Facebook posts knows, I spent the next two days in quite a bit of pain. The best way I can describe the pain is that it feels like jagged rocks had been placed strategically into my back. So, long story short, I went to the clinic and was diagnosed with a muscle tear underneath the right shoulder blade. But that's all background. I'd like to share a little bit about the treatment.

First of all, no good meds. Over the counter stuff seems to suffice (though barely). Also I was told to use rice packs instead of heating pads, I suppose because "wet heat" is better than dry heat. Whatever.

I was also prescribed Capsaicin. For those who don't know, Capsaicin is a topical analgesic, invented to help with shingles, but also works for muscular injury, and arthritis. I chose the "no fuss applicator" stick as opposed to the traditional ointment, but I'm not sure how much that has to do with the result. Anyway, it did help when I applied the medicine this morning. My back felt a little looser and nimbler.

But, here's the thing. Capsaicin is the ingredient found in cayenne peppers that makes the peppers hot.
Yup. I put pepper juice on my skin.

I'm not sure Capsaicin actually does anything to help the muscular pain. It just makes you feel like your skin is on fire. What happens is that you're so concerned with the third degree burns and blisters that you're sure are forming on your skin at that very moment that you no longer care about the original pain. It's kind of brilliant in its own way.

This does present an interesting conundrum though. Is it worse to have pain rocks under the skin, or fire on top? Pain rock...fire. Pain rock...fire. Which pain is preferred? I suppose the answer is fire, since it's supposed to help me, but...wow.

The other question I have is...How painful is shingles that the best solution anyone has come up with is "CLEANSE ME WITH FIRE!!"?? I can only imagine.

So what did I learn from this experience? Simple. Teach the kids how to shovel snow.