PAIN IS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE
PAIN is good for you. It is the catalyst for change. Our bodies don’t lie. We can distract ourselves from most things we don't want to focus on, but we cannot ignore pain when it becomes so loud that we must take action because of it. Most people pop a pill when something hurts physically or psychologically. Humans naturally want to take the easier road. Yet it is the difficult path, the things that make us step out of our comfort zone that truly make a difference, that produce change.
I love working with people who have physical pain. The pain MAKES us have to do something about it. Many people opt for surgery because it is easier than changing one’s lifestyle and perspective. I personally don’t agree with that, but each person deals with distress differently. Most people don’t know that there are other options - that we can heal the body through movement. Physical pain can be released through foam rolling, stretching and strengthening. The body is in pain because it isn't getting what it needs. Discovering what your body needs can be a therapeutic experience of self.
Pilates was created as a means of healing the body through physical movement for soldiers during wartime. The body is meant to heal itself. We just have to explore different means of healing for that specific issue. We have yet to meet a body that doesn’t respond well to the techniques that we have clients perform to re-learn healthy movement patterns. Although my specialty is lower back pain (because I’ve dealt with it myself) strengthening and releasing tension in the body is what it needs.. Some bodies need more involved help with releasing tension through acupuncture, chiropractic, cranio-sacral therapy, massage or myofascial release. Some bodies need more strength to balance out their flexible joints (such as hyperextending knees and elbows). Finding the right combination of release and strength for specific issues of that body provide alleviation of pain and the road to recovery.
There is a solution to every problem.