Patiently Waiting
Recovery takes time. Is that why anyone with a health problem that seeks help is called a patient?
If you have an acute problem, like a broken bone, you will be going directly to a clinical setting, not to get a massage or see an alternative practitioner. Know that it takes about 6-8 weeks to heal the bone, depending on age and other factors surrounding the event, as well as previous health conditions. You will need a month or two after the initial healing of the bone to recuperate, depending on your situation. Clinicians call their subjects patients, and yes, patience is needed here, but not like when you have a chronic issue. The word patient is regularly used in all clinical settings.
Chronically ill persons often see alternative practitioners, coaches, counselors to find help with their problems and are referred to as clients in many settings. With chronic illness, even more patience is needed, because behavioral patterns and physical compensation patterns may be well ingrained, and need time to change. For example, persons with diabetes or obesity may need to look at their dietary intake, movement and exercise patterns; receive counseling for self-esteem or explore the relationship to food, receive coaching, set goals with support for learning self-care habits for long-term, sustainable change. Each area must be addressed, and with the right kind of support improvement is possible.
I was told long ago, that on the average, we would need about one month of healing activities for every year we have been having the problem. So if you have had knee pain for 5 years, and not really addressed it, and surgery is not recommended yet, you may need at least 5 months of reorganizing that knee. This might look like receiving sessions of PT, Acupuncture, Trager, massage and/or diligently following the recommended activities to support healing in between sessions. It may also include self massage, Mentastics, gentle movement and improved nutrition in many cases. Supplements can be helpful the same as medications: temporarily to assist the healing process. I use this as general guideline for letting my clients know that patience is certainly needed as well as commitment to an active self-care plan.
As we age, our bodies are like an old home we just bought or have lived in for a long time but neglected. The current problem may be a leaky pipe, but when you start the repair, you realize it is attached to rusty pipes, soggy under structures that are ready to collapse and are moldy. How similar this is to a human body!
Everything is connected, and neglecting or ignoring one current problem will compound in time.
I use the term client for my practice. In my opinion, a client is someone who is in more control of their process, and their life. They are in absolute charge of their plan of care, and while on the table, we communicate about what is needed next, according to how they are sensing and feeling in the moment. With the Trager Approach, you will loosen and relax into new physical ease and comfort in your body. You will learn simple movements to do at home to further the changes. While coaching, I facilitate goal setting, and you choose what you want to work on. I accompany you and support you. We work through your barriers together when a plateau is reached.
Be patient and love yourself through the process. Heal at your own pace.
