The Things We Do: A Parable About Injuries

By Holly Pennington, PT, DPT
 
             A few weeks ago, the spoiler of my Toyota Sienna sustained an injury that resulted in a trip to the body shop. (Minivan vs. garage, not my fault, but we won’t get into that here….too soon for him.) In PT language, the diagnosis would be a “complete tear” of the rear spoiler but let’s just say the pre- vs. post-surgical appearance was dramatic. When I first saw my repaired van, I felt relieved that it was back in one piece. Then, that something-isn’t-right feeling crept in. I didn’t remember that big of a gap where the spoiler’s edges met the top of the trunk. And, had it always been that bouncy?

            Surely it’s just me, I thought. I don’t remember it looking that way because, let’s be honest, I didn’t know what a spoiler was prior to the garage incident, let alone how much give or space it should have. Besides, a return to the body shop sounded painful even though it would be free - the hassle, time, and, worse, what if there was nothing wrong with it? So, I convinced myself it was fine and resumed steering around my summer suburban circles.

            Eight hours of sleep and two slow cups of morning tea didn’t change the feeling I had when I looked at my reattached spoiler. That’s how I found myself driving around the Fred Meyer, Winco, Haggen and baseball field parking lots on a Saturday morning looking for a 2016 Sienna comparison. And how, when I didn’t find one (I’m still not sure how this was possible: 4 family-friendly parking lots and no Most Popular Suburban Vehicle? I should have taken it as a sign…), the Googling began. Sienna spoiler photos were enlarged, zoomed in, and held up next to the 3-D version in my garage. A measuring tape may or may not have been involved. In the end? The same uncertain, unsettled feeling.

            But, like any good mom with no time for a van injury but plenty of mental energy to spend on denial and comparison, I kept on driving. The heat wave came, and my van filled up with little girls excited for a day at the pool. In the parking lot, their excitement escalated in sync with the rise of the automatic trunk door. Then, a loud popping sound and a door stuck halfway up. With a sinking feeling and visions of driving along 512 with a car full of girls and an open trunk, and the fight still in me, I did what came naturally: closed the door and pushed the button again. Because, surely, it was the 95-degree factor, just a fluke, a weird coincidence…
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            You know how my story ends, because when it’s someone – or something – else, these things are obvious.
 
Is something not quite right on your body? Got a nagging pain that you’re sure will go away on its own?  Don’t wait for it to pop, tear or stop working altogether. Call any OPT clinic to schedule your free consult today. www.outpatientpt.com  

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