Frida Kahlo - The Spine as Crumbling Column
|
| Frida Kahlo (Mexican, 1907-1954) The Broken Column, 1944 Oil on canvas 15 11/16 x 12 in. (40 x 30.5 cm) Collection Museo Dolores Olmedo Patiño Mexico City © 2007 Banco de México Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo Museums Trust |
Recently, I was lucky enough to see the traveling exhibit of Frida Kahlo’s paintings. Khalo was a self-taught Mexican artist who began painting at the age of 18 when a near fatal bus accident left her in a body cast to heal her spine and pelvis. The accident fractured two of her lumbar vertebrae and caused her to experience chronic widespread pain for the rest of her life. For the next several decades, Kahlo was subject to corsets, surgeries, medications, and, of course, relentless pain. Sadly, she was unable to get relief from any of the attempted medical interventions.
In a reflection of the self-taught artist’s work, the American College of Rheumatology suggests that perhaps Kahlo suffered from fibromyalgia. In Frida’s time, it is likely that doctors knew little or nothing about this condition, and therefore did not diagnose it. But if you look at the painting entitled The Broken Column, you can see the nails placed around her body. (Fibromyalgia is identified by the presence of widespread pain, and can be precipitated by a back or neck injury.) The ACM suggests that the nails depicted in one of her drawings are located in approximately the same areas as the tender points used to diagnose fibro.
As I mentioned, Frida began painting as a way of dealing with the pain of the accident. Her art is fraught with symbolism that relates to her back and (other health) problems, along with her life events, including her marriage. According to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, her engagement with self portraiture helped her to “reinvent herself”. If you want to see more of Kahlo's paintings, check out the gallery on About.com's Art History site.
Related:
- Chronic Back Pain and Emotional Health
- About.com's Art History Site
- Chronic Widespread Pain
- Compression Fracture
- Burst Fracture
Sources:
Comments
Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist. People who suffer from fibromyalgia, severe back pain and other chronic pain syndromes often times turn to activities such as painting to help cope with their pain. The minds focus is so sintense on the task (painting) at hand and it will temporarily decrease the pain.
Pain from spinal damage is not some made up condition “fibromyalgia”. It’s real.
A spine that has been broken and never healed properly so it constantly rubs and irritates the nerve is not in someone’s mind. It’s not a
CNS disorder.
I too suffered from a near-fatal accident when I was 12 - I was hit by a car traveling at about 40 mph as I was getting off a school bus. I know exactly the pain Frida has suffered!! And I too have fibro, and there is a distinct difference between the two types of pain.
I would suggest that Frida has suffered myofacial pain syndrome. This is caused by changes in activity and chemicals at the very end of the nerve, causing it to behave abnormally. Very specific physical therapy may provide some relief, and the sooner the better after the trauma. Back in the 1950’s and 60’s no one knew anything about this, and the best chances for improvement passed us by.
But, PT should be continued as any slight improvement is certainly welcome. I have a hot tub I keep a bit cooler than regular - about body temp instead of over 100º, as too much heat makes the nerves too active. I find it soothing, and anything that helps is a godsend.
If Anne is still following, I would love her comment.
For Jean - Neither nerve pain or fibromyalgia are “made up” conditions, nor are they “in one’s mind only.” They are 2 completely different problems, both of which can cause pain. If I could choose between the 2, I would keep the fibro and ditch the myofacial pain. But that’s just me
Wildflower, I am sorry to hear about your pain. My comment is simply this - it’s amazing to witness the degree to which people who suffer the conditions become physiological experts. Your explanation about chemicals at the nerve endings in myofascial pain is very clarifying.
One last comment-I have worked with people with fibro. One thing that seems really helpful is to exercise regularly. I know it can be a discipline sometimes when you just don’t feel like it, but the regularity is important. Dance and movement in particular are good forms because along with a workout, they provide you with an education about your joints, muscles, body positions and much more. You can become more aware of your body, which in turn, can help you be in charge of your pain management.