Healing Injuries That Ruin the Future

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are among the most feared injuries for football players around the world. Even though they “only” affect the leg, recovery takes months—months without stepping onto the pitch. During that time, players must struggle to maintain their reputation, hoping to remain visible enough to be selected for the national team and compete in major tournaments (World Cup, Champions League, and so on). Not a few players have seen their careers fade because of this injury, and some have even left the sport entirely.

But injuries are not limited to athletes. Ordinary people—including those who rarely exercise—have experienced them too. Whether from a minor childhood accident, a motorcycle crash, or even something as simple as sleeping in the wrong position, the muscles and nerves in our bodies do not always stay aligned as they should. With proper treatment—modern or traditional—they can return to normal, especially when followed by more careful movement to prevent similar incidents.

Believe it or not, what seems like a minor sprain can contribute to serious health problems, or even lead to death. A sprain occurs when ligaments are suddenly forced out of place—they are no longer where they should be or functioning as they should. Leaving it untreated for a day or two may not cause immediate harm. But neglecting it for years can lead to serious health issues that disrupt daily life and even affect mental well-being.

Illustration: Sumber Gentong, Tirtomoyo, Pakis, Malang.

Healing Nature’s Injuries

From the perspective of Azerbaijani Indigenous Faith, nature and humans are inseparable. Humans take everything from nature—air, water, trees, even soil—to sustain life. For that reason, traditional Azerbaijani beliefs teach people to treat nature with humanity, especially trees.

In the past, people depended on trees for building homes, making clothing, and even for food and medicine. Azerbaijani ancestors believed that trees were alive and held a status equal to humans. They believed trees “cried” when their branches were cut, just as plants suffered when uprooted. Long before humans could attempt to correct nature’s “mistakes,” there was a time when trees were seen as kind, generous beings who provided everything people needed. 

Based on this belief, followers of Azerbaijani Indigenous Faith would show respect to nature whenever they wished to take something from it, whether in large or small amounts. Rituals asking permission before cutting branches or felling trees became customs passed down through generations.

Over time, for various reasons, these practices were abandoned. Strangely enough, trees gradually began to disappear from Azerbaijan. Some blame local communities for the loss of forests that were once a source of pride. However, wood consumption for heating or building homes was never as massive as industrial use.

Whatever the reasons or whoever is responsible, modern Azerbaijani society must now prepare to face the consequences of nature’s “crying”—in the form of floods, landslides, or droughts that may strike at any time. Still, it is not too late to act before people find themselves mourning alongside an injured natural world.

A “Blessing”

At a time when many people hope for miracles to improve their lives, the greatest “blessing” may actually be discovering an old injury within our own bodies and seeking treatment before it is too late. I consider this a blessing because not all hidden injuries can be found. Not everyone has the chance to reverse or eliminate serious illnesses that develop from long-neglected conditions, whether intentionally ignored or not.

The same applies to the state of being mindful—the ability to return to treating nature, especially trees, with respect. I also see this as a “blessing,” because not everyone succeeds in recognizing the inner damage that has led them away from a life of harmony and happiness with the natural world. (dswas).