On Alert

I have a close friend who is a Vietnam veteran. He described to me how he often chose to "walk point" when he was in the field. This lead position for a foot solider was a likely place to be killed or injured by a mine or a surprise attack. He worried that someone would get killed, so he preferred to be in the position himself. His spine never relaxed in nine months of active duty. Now he has severe spasms in his back. His work with vet groups and in therapy has begun to release the tensions from the experiences of war. Yet even a small disturbance can result in a feeling of being on guard and a rigid spine. The more his capacity for relaxation increases, the more extreme the spasms. He is feeling the pain.