Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop

The origin of this saying goes back to a funny story like this:

A guest checked into an inn one night was warned to be quiet because the guest in the room next to his was a light sleeper. As he undressed for bed, he dropped one shoe, which, sure enough, awakened the other guest. He managed to get the other shoe off in silence, and got into bed. An hour later, he heard a pounding on the wall and a shout: "When are you going to drop the other shoe?"

And so the definition of "waiting for the other shoe to drop" is something to the effect of: waiting for an event to happen that is expected to happen, based on a causal link to another event. In the world of chronic pain, we see this all too often. People have back, neck or some other pain and after a little rest or popping a few ibuprofen (or stronger), the pain simply goes away. Or does it?

In the years of listening to clients describe their pain, there are always warning signs -- shots across the bow so to speak. It may be a tweak in the neck, spasms in the low back, chronically tight hamstrings, declining energy levels, or other aches that tell you that something is going on. Many of these symptoms are often ignored only to show up as debilitating or severe down the road.

In many cases, these "mild" symptoms are the first shoe dropping and it's a waiting game for the second to hit the floor. If the cause of the symptom is not identified, it is only a matter of time before the body uses another means to let you know that it is serious and needs attention.

I've worked with a number of clients who knew something was going on but waited til it became so excruciating that it became a much longer process of getting back to pain free. Don't let this be you. Get ahead of the curve by taking care of your pain now. Living in fear waiting for the other shoe to drop is no way to enjoy freedom of moving about and enjoying activities. Achieve peace of mind by taking action today!

Get some help with your plan of action. You can get started by reading one of Pete Egoscue's books. I recommend "Pain Free" if you have symptoms. You can also get started with the exercises on Egoscue.com or, better yet, call to set up your free consultation and find out what the best path is for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.

To view the rest of the October Newsletter, visit: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs043/1102261740810/archive/1102753457145.html

Could my Posture be affecting the way I think? (August Newsletter)

When was the last time someone invited you to participate in a trip, activity or outing and you had to turn them down? Friends, children, grandchildren? And you most likely didn't turn them down because you didn't want to go -- but because of the fear that you wouldn't be able to keep up, that the environment may be too uncomfortable given your pain, or that you would be a burden to others? How many times do we choose to stay in isolation with pain and keep from interacting (also read "playing") with our friends and family due to the inherent limitations we have accepted for ourselves?

The fear can be limiting. The fear can be stifling. The fear can be disabling. And while I'm not writing this to say, "just get over the fear," I am saying that you don't have to live with the limiting, stifling and disabling beliefs. An active social life is a large part of what is necessary for each of our overall health and wellness. If living with pain or physical limitations is affecting the relationships we have with others, then we are simply accepting a compromised lifestyle. Life doesn't have to be like this. You have all that you need within your own gifts and abilities to live the life you desire.

How we view our bodies and the beliefs we have about the body's complexity and capabilities will either result in a fully functional body moving with ease and fluidity or one without structural support, little energy, and far less physical ability and agility. In other words, if we perceive our body to be in disrepair and broken down, then this is what we will have. However, if we think of our body as resilient, capable of moving, healing and full of life, then you will be a lot closer to achieving this.

At Egoscue, we believe no one should have to live in pain and that you should be able to enjoy an active lifestyle. Once you've set it in your mind that your body can and will heal. That it can and will be able to move in the ways that it is designed. That you can enjoy the company of others without limitations of your body and you are able to overcome fear, then it is a matter of setting a plan of action. The body then needs to match up to the mental state.

Get some help with your plan of action. You can get started by reading one of Pete Egoscue's books. I recommend "Pain Free" if you have symptoms. You can also get started with the exercises on Egoscue.com or, better yet, call to set up your free consultation and find out what the best path is for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.

To view the August Newsletter in it's entirety, click here.

Trevor Hoffman goes unconventional with rehab

Aligning the stars seeking balance
Padres' Hoffman, goes unconventional

"Trevor Hoffman, the master of the change-up, threw his body a change-up after his baseball season ended last fall.

The longtime Padres closer switched to a new and thus inherently spooky workout program that he said has restored balance and alignment to his universe.

Devoting nearly four months to postural improvement via deep-breathing exercises and hyperattentive technique, Hoffman worked imbalances out of his torso and legs caused by more than a decade of pitching."

Read more at: http://sports.uniontrib.com/uniontrib/20060306/news_1s6padres.html

Junior Seau Balances Out with Egoscue

Junior Seau Balances Out - His first major injury behind him, a perennial All-Pro muscles up for a comeback http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/players/01/18/workout0124/