Let me tell you something that I find remarkable. The body is logical. Now I know that this may sound simple to you, or it may sound crazy, but it is true.
We are so far removed from our bodies that a label seems like an explanation. Once given a diagnosis or even a medical jargon for a symptom, we stop questioning. For example, if there is compression of a nerve that is causing symptoms into your hand, it matters whether that is happening in your spine, shoulder or wrist because that changes what area you should address. But, the reason that the nerve is being compressed is also an important component. Have the bones shifted? Is there inflammation? Are muscles in spasm? These are some of the variables that can cause the compression which is causing the symptom, and labeling the symptoms with a “syndrome” doesn’t provide clarity. Yet, for many of us, when it comes to the body there seems to be a blockage to understanding that allows us to just accept the label.
Because of this block to understanding the body, it is not unusual for people to accept limitations without question. And, speaking from experience, it is also not at all unusual for them to get very defensive when questioned about those limits or labels that they have accepted without qustion. Over the years I have learned that it is best in social situations to not ask, though inevitably when people find out my profession they are compelled to tell me about their fitness activities and this often leads to things they cannot do and the reason for the limitation.
So, let’s start at the beginning, the body is logical. “Blowing out a joint” probably means that you tore something. “Wore out” most likely means that you stressed an area faster than it could recover. “Pinched” means there is decreased space. These phrases provide none of the information necessary to figure out what is going on because the specifics matter. I have always believed that the more one can understand what is going on with their body the greater agency they will have ensuring their body will support them.
There is no doubt that the body is complex and there are far too many variables for any of us to understand it all, but if you start from the understanding that the body is always logical then you have a foundation for developing a clearer picture of how your body is working and that picture is necessary for guiding your body to work for you in the way that you want.
As always, let me know how I can help.
Adam
We are so far removed from our bodies that a label seems like an explanation. Once given a diagnosis or even a medical jargon for a symptom, we stop questioning. For example, if there is compression of a nerve that is causing symptoms into your hand, it matters whether that is happening in your spine, shoulder or wrist because that changes what area you should address. But, the reason that the nerve is being compressed is also an important component. Have the bones shifted? Is there inflammation? Are muscles in spasm? These are some of the variables that can cause the compression which is causing the symptom, and labeling the symptoms with a “syndrome” doesn’t provide clarity. Yet, for many of us, when it comes to the body there seems to be a blockage to understanding that allows us to just accept the label.
Because of this block to understanding the body, it is not unusual for people to accept limitations without question. And, speaking from experience, it is also not at all unusual for them to get very defensive when questioned about those limits or labels that they have accepted without qustion. Over the years I have learned that it is best in social situations to not ask, though inevitably when people find out my profession they are compelled to tell me about their fitness activities and this often leads to things they cannot do and the reason for the limitation.
So, let’s start at the beginning, the body is logical. “Blowing out a joint” probably means that you tore something. “Wore out” most likely means that you stressed an area faster than it could recover. “Pinched” means there is decreased space. These phrases provide none of the information necessary to figure out what is going on because the specifics matter. I have always believed that the more one can understand what is going on with their body the greater agency they will have ensuring their body will support them.
There is no doubt that the body is complex and there are far too many variables for any of us to understand it all, but if you start from the understanding that the body is always logical then you have a foundation for developing a clearer picture of how your body is working and that picture is necessary for guiding your body to work for you in the way that you want.
As always, let me know how I can help.
Adam
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