Three Powerful (But Basic) Principles for Pain
Last week I received the best compliment a personal trainer can get.
One of our clients, we'll call her Bethany, mentioned that last weekend she was able to pick her grandson - pain-free - for the first time in months.
This is the kind of thing that really matters.
The cool thing is that she didn't have to do any crazy workouts or diets to do it. She just followed three powerful but basic principles. Here they are:
Consistency. If you know me, you know how much I value consistency. It's pretty simple. If you don't show up, nothing else matters. Bethany shows up. On time and ready to go.
Good posture and movement. In today's sedentary world of cell phones and computers, poor posture and movement have affected almost everyone. Here's a little secret (it's not really a secret). If you have chronic pain, it's not about your age, it's not about the piece of paper you bent down to pick up, it's about your posture and movement. Poor posture puts your body into compromised positions and that leads to pain. Poor movement does the same thing. Do you have back pain? Check your hips. Do they move or do you round your back? Have shoulder pain? Check your shoulder blades. Are you in a constant shrug?
Engagement. 2-3 hours is the most I'll see someone in a given week. That means I don't see them 163-164 hours in that same week.
That means Bethany can follow every cue and perform each exercise immaculately in the gym, but if she forgets all that stuff when she leaves?
Nothing really changes.
Bethany has been relentlessly engaged in what she's doing in the gym and has paid extra attention to her posture OUTSIDE THE GYM.
There’s nothing fancy here. When trying to get through chronic pain, the basics are what will get you results, not fancy exercises. And even if these things aren't the complete answer, they are absolutely going to be a huge part of it.
