Insights

“What I have realized is that when I have signals, it is an indication that I need to rest. I need to avoid or minimize poor loading to my spine and body,” said our client from New York City. “I will even reduce the number of remedial exercises I am doing, primarily keeping to my breathing.” He continued, “I find that when I do this for a day or so I quickly return to a good state, with little to no pain. While I look forward to doing more, I am grateful for my learning and where I am. I can see and feel I am in a different place.”

One of my favorite things and one of the best parts of my work, is hearing my clients share and sometimes echo, wisdom and lessons to me. The clients are using words we have taught them combined with some they have learned on their own. I have learned that to experience these moments requires several things; for me, it requires more listening than talking, it requires paying attention and being present. For the client, it requires patience, letting go, and deliberately pursuing discovery.

Another client, from St. Louis, said, “It was clear to me the signals in my knee were different. The achiness was from fatigue and not due to any tissue irritation. I could feel the difference and I understand that I had done a lot over those days.” He continued, “I expected that once I reduced my activity and did my exercises, I would be ok.” He concluded, “There is such a difference in having this control versus simply trying to survive. I know that I am ok.”

Lastly, my client this week from Georgia said, “I have been really good about moderating my tennis and golf activity.” She added, “I am seeing the value of staying away from too much.” “I am not having any significant pain in my knee or other areas.”

The messaging above, taught by our clients, is representative of the importance of rest and understanding pain. There are wonderful hints of self-efficacy. Notice they use words like “signal” instead of pain. Using “signal” prompts a question about what the pain means and why the brain would be sending a message. It prompts contemplation and action. This can lead to understanding your body and environment. It can lead to believing and knowing you can control your pain and resiliency.

Their messages also reflect aspects of the story of Eddie Jaku. From The Power of Doing What Matters, you may remember that Eddie is the Holocaust survivor who lived to be 101 years of age. In the story, Eddie relates how a doctor who was also a prisoner at Auschwitz, told him if he wanted to save his life, he needed to lie down and rest. The doctor said that one hour rest would equal two days of survival. It worked.

It seems illogical to lie down when others are searching for food, ways to escape, and ways to survive. Similarly, it might seem illogical to do less exercise, simple breathing exercises and nothing else when others are doing more.When you rest and do what matters you create space for recovery and resiliency. When you don’t rest and do more, there is often no space for recovery and resiliency. If there is no space, you can imagine how hard or unlikely it can be for recovery and resiliency to emerge.

Doing what matters for you, is essential. It’s ironic and curious that for most of us, what matters, and maybe what is the highest value, is what we don’t do.