![]() A few weeks ago I was working with an individual who has experienced back pain for the past 20+ years. Recently he experienced an acute flare-up of his chronic low back pain. During this acute episode he stated, "I must have a spinal cord injury...the pain is excruciating...unbearable." Fortunately, a quick neurological screening revealed intact functioning of the nerves and muscles. Upon further questioning, the client said "when I am having the intense pain, it is like I am lost at sea." The phrase 'lost at sea' resonated within me for hours after the treatment. When I imagine being lost at sea, I picture Tom Hanks in the movie 'Cast Away.' The movie character was alone, desperate, and literally fighting for his life. He had minimal outside resources and his only companion was a hand-printed volleyball. Tom Hank's character was physically and psychologically exhausted. To describe one's pain as being 'lost at sea' depicts the intensity of the person's situation. As a chronic pain practitioner, when I hear expressions like this, I immediately know there is a emotional aspect to this acute flare-up of pain. From a treatment perspective, I must integrate and acknowledge the patient's biology (environment, past history, etc...) in addition to any physical impairments that are present. Words and statements such as the one above make my role as a physical therapist greater than simply a triage expert after an injury. Physical Therapists play large roles as diagnosticians, coaches, counselors, and motivators. If you are experiencing any long standing pain, find a healthcare practitioner who has time to perform a thorough evaluation to investigate the true causes of your pain! ![]() Want to learn more about movement and pain? Check out Dr. Heafner's Anatomy of Human Movement. Use Promo Code: Save10 today for $10 off at checkout! (promotional offer valid until 3/10/17)
2 Comments
Manuel Franco
8/29/2023 10:37:21 pm
I just want to say Thank You to everyone who supported me through the years. My name is Manuel Franco, New Berlin, Wisconsin. My story of how I won the Powerball lottery of $768.4M is a bit of a tale. I have been playing Powerball tickets for 6 years now since I turned 18. I bought my first ticket on my 18 birthday. I was feeling very lucky that day because I had contacted Dr. Odunga Michael to help me with the winning Powerball numbers. I really had that great great feeling that I looked at the camera wanting to wink at it. I only did a tiny part of it and trusted him. He gave me the numbers after I played a couple other tickets along with it for $10. I checked my ticket after the winnings came online and saw the numbers were correct including the Power play. I screamed for about 10 minutes because it felt like a dream. I had won $768.4M. You can check my winning testimony with the lottery officials just with my name search. Thank you Dr Odunga. Well, his email is odungaspelltemple@gmail.com and you can also call or Whats-app him at +2348167159012 so you guys can contact him
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Heafner HealthPhysical Therapy Archives
April 2022
Categories |
Photos used under Creative Commons from imma-ty-grr, colros, WODshop, Rev Stan, -Jeffrey-, North Carolina National Guard, NeighborLink Fort Wayne, Artur Tomaz Photography, wwward0, Akuppa, Stewart Black, eccampbell, ArkansasOutside.com, ton.schulten