Chapter 1: The Struggle with Pain

Roz Potenza, a 63-year-old actress residing in the humid Tampa Bay area, embodies the duality of a performer. On stage, she shines, yet off stage, she wrestles with chronic pain that often goes unseen. Living with this condition, she frequently finds herself masking her discomfort.

"I participate in live theater," Potenza explains. "Last year, I starred in a lengthy production of Shear Madness, which demanded my presence for a solid 2.5 hours. The pain was often intense, radiating from my lower back, neck, and even my knee."

Potenza reflects on her feelings of being a "pain poser," as she acknowledges that others might be experiencing far worse afflictions. "It's a peculiar way to measure pain against others," she admits. "My pain feels like a burning sensation on my skin."

Her chronic discomfort radiates from her neck and shoulders, a common experience among seniors. "Most of the pain begins in my neck and shoulders. I notice it primarily in my left shoulder blade, although it sometimes shifts to the other side," she shares. "This discomfort can be dull or overwhelming, often leading to headaches."

Despite the constant pain, she chooses to confide in only a few close friends. "People often want to compare," she observes. "'Oh, you have that? Mine is much worse.' It diminishes our shared experiences. My pain is unique to me, and each person has their own journey, whether or not it resembles mine."

Potenza's pain journey began at age 12 after a severe car accident. "I was ejected from the vehicle in a T-bone collision," she recalls. "Since then, I've been in six more accidents, ranging from minor to severe, with one involving a school bus. Initially, doctors offered little help, merely providing a foam collar."

Her pain intensified over the years, especially after riding horses, a passion she pursued in her late teens. "I was thrown off in various ways and worked with thoroughbreds for three years until I could no longer continue. The repeated impact during barrel racing caused lingering pain in my knees."

In her late twenties, she faced additional health challenges, including cystic ovaries and a recurring uterine mass. At 50, she received a breast cancer diagnosis. "After treatment, I was prescribed Tamoxifen to prevent recurrence, but it led to significant muscle and joint pain," she recounts. "Eventually, I had to stop it, but the damage was already done."

Despite these challenges, Potenza actively seeks pain relief. "I've undergone numerous cortisone injections and tried various therapies, including medical marijuana. Recently, I experimented with a pain patch, but it caused severe irritation. I own a wide array of pain relief devices, from rollers to electronic massagers."

Potenza continues to work as an actress and manages a small retail jewelry shop with her husband. "My work often exacerbates my neck pain as I spend hours looking down. I have to pace myself, adding extra time to complete tasks to accommodate breaks."

Interestingly, she finds that performing provides her with the most relief. "When I'm on stage, I'm fully engaged with the audience and the material. The thrill of performance helps me momentarily forget the pain," she explains. "However, as the night goes on, my pain tends to worsen."

Chapter 2: Finding Relief Through Movement

In the video Cobra Pose: Home Practice from Yoga Journal, viewers can learn about a beneficial yoga position that may help alleviate back pain and promote flexibility.

The second video, Yoga For Back Pain: mbg Moves With Juanina Kocher, offers practical movements and tips for managing back pain effectively.