"My [insert medical profession] told me that I have the back of a 75 year old."
"They told me I shouldn't lift weights"
"I am told I have the hip of a 65 year old, but I'm not even close to that in age"
We have heard a lot of different stories of various injuries or things that cause people pain. We have also countless times worked with that person to help them understand that the diagnosis they have been given is something that they can work with and continue to do various activities and strengthening. One of the main things we have done at Pond Performance is help people get back to building strength, and most of those people have seen improvements in their back pain, knee pain, hip pain etc. We also work with the client to educate them about what they are experiencing, try to explain what is happening and causing the pain and include the client in the decision making process of how they want to proceed!
One of the things we have found is people receive the news of the diagnosis and then along comes with it of fear and the list of they things they CANNOT do. But what about all the things they still can do? Where is the communication of ways they can help themselves or seek the right help to improve their lifestyle? What are the modifications that can be made for them to be able to complete the activities they still enjoy to do or need to be able to do?
Let's take low back pain as our example, one of the leading causes for people to seek help from a doctor or miss work worldwide. Have other things been taken into consideration such as hip health including mobility and strength? Have we looked and addressed core strengthening? Have we looked at the thoracic spine to address flexion, extension or rotation? Have the movement patterns that ease pain versus the ones that cause pain been considered and addressed? Have modifications to lifestyle been made within reason such as not sitting/standing/lying down for too long at one time. Has a reasonable attempt been made to help the patient/client understand that certain activities may cause increased soreness, but there is a difference between hurt vs. harm? Soreness and pain are not the same thing and in rehabilitation we are going to have soreness. Some days are going to be great, some not as good, but it's part of the process. Fear is to be expected when dealing with pain, but giving a client the tools and understanding to know when they will have soreness and how to manage their pain so they can continue with their life will help them.
In our setting we work with the client to help understand the issues and pains you may have, and work with you to build a plan that will help you. We will celebrate the little victories every step of the way and are on your team. We want to help you find the things you CAN do, not just create fear with the list of things you cannot. We treat you as the individual, not just by a diagnosis you have been given.
To learn more about we can help you, contact us or book in for your initial assessment here.
Bob Pond, CAT(C), CSCS
Pond Performance Ltd.