headache and Simple Contact

[nari]

Thought I would pass this on...

I went out today for about 5 hours, driving, and developed a headache, sore neck and restricted ROM. Cause unknown. When I got home, the headache was retro-orbital and occipital with neck noises on rotation; after 5 minutes of SC, it resolved. Completely.

ROM = normal
Neck pain = absent
No drugs of any sort.

If this doesn't make musculo-skeletally minded PTs sit up and wonder - I don't know what will!:)

Nari

[emad]

Nari,The same my mind/my thinking will not sit up for headache like you espicially it resolved completely quickly !!!!

Regards
Emad

[Barrett Dorko]

Nari,

A nice story, but just a story. I feel compelled to point out that it was the ideomotion, not the Simple Contact that probably made the difference. This can be amplified sufficiently to resolve the pain from mechanical deformation without anyone touching the skin of another and, in fact, that's how pain is most commonly relieved.

You got better because of the depth of your understanding, not as the end result of some hard-won skill. This is something I emphasize to every class.

[nari]

Barrett

I know it was just a story, and also that it was ideomotion that appeared to resolve the headache. Nothing else could have figured in the outcome.

But as you say, it was no great skill - at all. Just a chat with the nonconscious.

Nari

[Barrett Dorko]

Nari,

I contend that the time taken to do this is very much like the time we might take to pursue something creative - and that the same attitude should prevail. Would you agree? And, if so, would this be a common reason why it's not ordinarily done?

[nari]

Barrett,

I agree with you.

If one looks at other fields of creativity, eg painting or drawing, it is passed over by nonpainters/drawers as "natural talent" which is something people believe is quite beyond their grasp and impossible to achieve. It isn't...only a few can be a Constable or Dali, but everyone is capable of producing a reasonable painting/drawing.

What they are not understanding is the passion, the desire to really do well at something creative doesn't just happen by magic; one has to make it happen and put up with some arrghhhs along the way when the brain does not keep up with the passion.

So they might say: "I need someone to tell me what to do, so I can produce a painting." That is not the way to go, it just doesn't work.

The same applies to writing a book, or learning neurophysiology. No-one can tell you how to do it. You either want to or you don't. (Figurative 'you')

Nari

[Barrett Dorko]

It's an issue at every course and, I think, one of the several "shadows" of PT i.e. our lack of appreciation for the power of creative activity.

I talk about the difference between productive and creative movement as well as the distinction between care and training, which I think are related. As far as I know, no other method of manual management addresses these issues.

But as important as this is, I don't get the impression this notion about movement makes much of an impact. I assign this specific failure to the cultural influence in opposition to creativity.

I don't think I can change this. Perhaps for something like Simple Contact this will be the fatal blow.

[Nick]

Barrett,

People seem very interested in dance - even as creative movement; however, are inhibited in expression. The "culture" is impressed by tight choreography that is only achieved by pain-provoking practice (think "Dancing With The Stars"). Most on the sidelines simply watch - feeling they are not good enough to participate (sort of like lurkers who think they have nothing to contribute).

"I need someone to tell me what to do, so I can produce a painting."
The patient think they need someone to tell them how to move. The therapist thinks they need someone to tell them how to move others.

Perhaps society cannot value creativity because it springs from individuality rather than the collective agreement. A "profession" wants a consistent and coherent system of thought and rejects anything that cannot be neatly packaged in a prediction rule.


Nick

[nari]

I think society values creativity, but does not see it as relevant to their being a part of the process.

The prediction rule is a killer of creativity, as you point out, Nick. But the irony of it manifests in SC and ideomotion; the outcome cannot be defined, because it is not something the PT does. Yet those results are clearly evident to therapist and patient. The entire profession is built around what a PT physically does to someone; and until that notion changes, Barrett will continue to have an uphill challenge.
Incorporating corrective movement along with other methods will get results which are acceptable to society - unfortunately that gives credit only to the 'other' culturally-accepted methods.

Luke's proposal of a study will be most interesting....how are things going, Luke?

But I suspect there are a lot more PTs (and osteopaths) who understand the premise of corrective movement than there were 10 years ago, even 4 years ago. So, there is some hope around.

Nari