The previous two posts

[Barrett Dorko]

The previous blog posts, Four Questions and How I see the invisible didn't raise the ire within the therapy community I thought they might.

Underlying both posts is the problem of invisibility.

When something isn't readily seen with the naked eye or understood to exist in a certain way, humans speculate. We use things we're familiar with as metaphors. But the things that therapists have chosen aren't a whole lot like the person we actually treat.

I've said that the nervous tissue “floats around” within us and it seems that regular pursuit of the desired task is a good idea.

Mel Siff always advocated this.

Thoughts?

[Barrett Dorko]

When I wrote Are we self-corrective? in Four Questions I think that many therapists wondered (if that were true) why we even existed.

What I didn't mention in that post was the power possessed by the culture to oppose correction of the mechanical deformation acquired as life is lived.

So, if we're self-corrective, what are therapists for?

[Ryan A]

So, if we're self-corrective, what are therapists for?

To be counter-cultural.

At least when the dominant culture is one that promotes ignorance, fear, or movement further from resolution of a mechanical pain problem.

[Barrett Dorko]

Ryan,

I like what you've said because it recognizes the opposition to change both the public and the professions must face.

To me, the culture's ability to order and "civilize" our existence is both limiting and full of freedom. It is also all around us, like water to a fish. It is essentially invisible. No wonder it remains so powerful.

In order to pursue money (culture) it has become necessary for the corporations to turn my profession into something I hardly recognize, and from which I've been mainly exiled - mainly due to my own machinations.

[Barrett Dorko]

I'm also convinced that whether we like it or not, or do something about it, our nervous tissue's ability to move around within us (what I liken to "floating") decreases with age.

Would you agree?

[Bas Asselbergs]

Yes. I find I crave lengthening motion more than ever.

[Barrett Dorko]

Thanks Bas. The desire to "lengthen," express and move grows in conjunction with the culture's admonition to do less as we age. It's confusing.

[Bas Asselbergs]

Barrett, I find I thrive when I can attend parties which involve dancing.

After a few songs where my wife and I dance together (holding each other), we let go and dance "free" style.
Even the next day we both still smile - our bodies tired but happy.

[caro]

At the Spa where I work, I've been getting many clients who present with what you describe, Bas.

''Can you do something about the legs, we attended my X-mas party and danced all night. Holy crap am I ever sore!''

They say it with a smile...

Speaking of the Spa. It's a big place, many treatment rooms. We all pretty much finish at the same time, so there is a bunch of us waiting for the clients to emerge, in the dim hallways. You should see us, young and old, moving and expressing ourselves authentically. I spoke about this the other day, in the employee room.

One of the young ones said: ''It's funny how we don't seem to mind that there are cameras, filming the hallways...''

I use that one with clients a lot...

[caro]

Also, Mo Johnson mentioned this book-written in 2003.

She interviewed Wall and Melzack (here in Montréal!). Sapolsky is mentioned, as well.

[Ken Jakalski]

Hi Bas!

I find I thrive when I can attend parties which involve dancing.

We play music from the time teams start arriving at our big cross country invitational. Without fail, runners begin dancing. Often, as in the image below, rival teams get together to dance.

[Barrett Dorko]

Though I agree that dancing "freely" is an excellent idea, the image of Bas dancing I find disturbing. I need to get over that.

In any case, there's a plethora of ways we might feel younger than our stated age, and ways of "looking" younger. This is a complicated thing and advertising certainly plays a role.

My mother could get down on the floor with her grandchildren yet she was gray at an early age. The hair in my beard is now more "salt" than "pepper" yet I have no gray hair on top. Go figure.

I certainly don't move as a once did. I blame this on the restricted motion of my nervous tissue. That seems reasonable.

Any relevant studies on this?

[nari]

I think some people age faster than others because it is seems "inevitable" for them.
Some never see any reason to slow down as they ease into the 7th decade and tend to remain functionally flexible.

I don't know if it is dependent on personality, but it is still feasible for 60 -70 somethings to do a full squat and also touch toes in standing. Mind you, that doesn't help much if one's brain starts to fade....:angel:

[Barrett Dorko]

Genetics.

My son told me it was the mayonnaise that precipitated my heart condition while I always figured it had more to do with my father and his six brothers.

[Ken Jakalski]

Hi Nari!

Some never see any reason to slow down as they ease into the 7th decade and tend to remain functionally flexible.

I don't know if it is dependent on personality, but it is still feasible for 60 -70 somethings to do a full squat and also touch toes in standing. Mind you, that doesn't help much if one's brain starts to fade....:angel:

I agree with this. I occasionally get crap from my runners about being an "old man." This past fall I told them I could one-arm cold snatch a 45 pound Olympic bar to full overhead without the bar tipping. The length of the bar is what scares them, and makes them think it's harder than it really is. My balance point isn't perfect, but I haven't done this in a while.