How to Treat Musculoskeletal Pain the Right Way
I witness people in pain all the time. People getting out of the car holding their back, people in the gym rotating their shoulder because "it just hurts so much", people flexing and extending their knee saying "it just doesn't work the way it used to". Almost every person I talk to has some sort of pain going on. Getting surgery or going to the chiropractor seems like a regular trend these days. The excuse: "well, this is what happens when you get old".
Really? That's what happens when you get old? You complain about pain and expect someone else to get rid of it? As an Exercise Therapist, I have witnessed client after client with the same story. "My back-shoulder-hip-knee-ankle hurts and my doctor thinks I should have surgery. I've seen and tried everything under the sun, and the pain just won't go away...can you fix me?" My response: "YOU can fix YOU".
With a few corrective exercises focusing on aligning your posture and NOT treating your symptom, you will notice a huge difference in the way your body feels. Yes, you read that correctly. I said NOT treating your symptom area! The human body is one big unit; you change one part of the body, it directly effects another part of the body. If you have knee pain, it may be stemming from an elevated hip, or a rotated torso. Change that hip and torso position and you will notice your knee pain will go away. Postural exercises focus on bringing the body back to it's original functional position. If that position is compromised, the body cannot function correctly. If the body is not functioning correctly, it will let you know! Pain is a signal that something is not in the right position!
Don't believe it's that easy? I'm sure you have been on your computer surfing the web for the last few hours, so your back and shoulders must be aching by now. What I'd love for you to try, directly after you finish reading this article, grab your dining room chair (or something about 18 inches high), prop your legs up at a 90 degree angle, let your arms lay about 45 degrees from your body with your palms up, head flat on the ground looking up towards the ceiling. Lay there for a minimum of 5 minutes (longer if you have time). When you are done, take a walk around and leave me a comment about how your back feels so much better!
To learn more about these exercises and the method I practice, or to ask any questions, submit them to me and I'd be happy to answer!
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so amazing
you bring out the solution for many problems thanks your theory seems to be the right one
I hope..
...to spread the word that posture plays a huge role in injury prevention and performance! The Egoscue Method has helped so many people from people in pain to professional athletes! It's good stuff that everyone should know about :)
Just talked about this in class the other day
Very good article. I am currently in physical therapy school and we learn about ergonomics. Posture plays a huge role in many cases (thoracic outlet syndrome). The brachial plexus is subjected to pressure because of bad posture (i.e. people on the computer with shoulders slumped foward all day, then driving home with the shoulders slumped forward gripping the steering wheel, followed by bad posture in a recliner, then after that to top it off some people sleep on their side with their shoulders slumped forward again.......repeat the process day after day and after a while your body can only take so much).
Glad you posted this once again,
Jason Mathew
right on!!
You get it! The best part... it's so easy to fix! How far along are you in PT school?
I am halfway done with my
I am halfway done with my first year! 2 more years to go! It is already flying by.
Yep
I think you pointed out a very interesting issue: SOME people might experience a true pathologic condition, but the vast majority are due to inactivity and bad positions. I've seen 40 year old women complaining about shoulder pain: they never practiced any sport in their lifetime... I think I've read somewhere that one every three general practitioner consults are for "back pain". I've seen an outbreak of "back schools" that make you do abs especially and teach the "students" tricks for being always in the right back position. I've seen also many "pilates studios" that promise the same results.
Personally I think practicing sport regularly focusing on abs is the best remedy. But maybe people just prefer the "easy way" of getting pain killers pills. Could you put a video that shows the exercise you've described? It would be great! :-D Ciao!
Thanks Alberto, great point!
Pain killers only give you temporary relief and covers up the symptom. Unfortunately too many people get addicted and never go after the root of the problem. In a lot of cases, strengthening the abs help, but it also depends on what kind of posture they have. For example, only ab work may not benefit someone with a flat lumbar spine with back pain. Their abs may be to tight, pulling the pelvis under, flattening the low back. You then have a posterior pelvis with a flat lumbar! For someone in that situation, I would work more hip flexor, glutes to pull the hip into a more extended position. I would also have them do some work to restore the natural curve in the spine. Typically, I see this type of posture in ballerina's, yogi's and hard core pilates students. I am not saying any of that is bad- I love all 3 practices, Bottom line... muscle symmetry... right to left, front and back is key. Moving your body in general is key :) Watch out for video blogs and demonstrations to come!