Common Issues Clients Have: Back Pain

By far, the most common issue clients come in for is back pain. What they don't know, is the problem likely isn't actually their back. One true most common cause is tight quadriceps, also known as quads, the big muscles at the front of your body in between your knees and hips. This is the entry example we'll use today. Many doctors will just throw out "you're sitting too much" but don't provide a step-by-step quantifiable solution, not because of their lack of care but rather their lack of time with you as a patient. That is where stretch therapy comes in.

Large box-store type stretch therapy offices are very similar to a doctors office in the sense that they don't have enough time with their clients to truly educate. How are you supposed to know what you don't know? Physical improvement isn't just an issue with pain, immobility, tightness, or time management. It's also highly psychological. If your stretch therapist doesn't build a consistent, real, open and trusting relationship with you, you will never be able to confide in them to tell them what the true issue is. How are you supposed to tell a stranger, let alone in a room full of at least a dozen other people?

To name a few, habit stacking movements to change your daily life, or understanding how long you body has given you pain signals not to move in a way you really should be, is mostly psychological. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. It means your body was trying to correct the symptom of the problem, but it didn't understand the problem was that you sit 8 hours a day and get up maybe twice to use the restroom. When you're getting one signal to your brain: "we need to make money" your body doesn't think "hey we are going to be sitting for many more years to make money, we should adapt and form habits to prevent pain and injury." Unless you have specific knowledge and training, we are not evolved to live like that. We are glad you are seeking to help your body now.

Whatever your current lifestyle is, our goal is to show you how to adapt to the life you have that you haven't previously been taught. The first two weeks, every time you force yourself to stand up after sitting for an hour, you're likely going to be mentally resistant. Understanding psychology, if you have to stand up for something positive, and you know there is an end date to this mentally resistant new habit, it will be much easier. You may need to put your water across the room, or your favorite drink across the room so you'll be excited to have it every hour. If you're feeling extra motivated you can perform some basic stretches with proper form while you're standing to get that drink.

On that note, book an appointment with HomeStretch Dynamics if you'd like to get evaluated and start adapting to the life you have to fix pain and tightness, and prevent it from happening in the future again.