The things we do knowingly that hold us back in life can cover a wide spectrum of thoughts, symptoms and fears, and unless they are faced, dealt with and ultimately resolved / unearthed, they continually poison / drain us – both through their direct effect on us and through our efforts to hide their very existence.
As a people, we tend to keep all thoughts to ourselves on
- Financial struggles
- Weight difficulties
- Daily headaches
- Not sleeping well
- Losing strength
- Eating issues
- Not feeling well
- Reducing fitness
- Feeling inadequate
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Distressing relationships
- Lower back pain
- Work anxiety
- Marital concerns
- Losing independence
- Being stuck on the hamster-wheel
- (You know I can go on forever…)
I would have to think very hard to try and come up with a handful of the patients I’ve seen since qualifying in 2008 which wouldn’t tick at least 4 or more of the above, yet the concerns aren’t openly shared or acknowledged – not even in the confidentiality of the consultation – we’re trained to pick up on these, directly ask about some of them, and at times, patients let them slip and immediately note their embarrassment. We’re embarrassed by these things despite it being so extremely common! We’re supressing and hiding these issues even from the very people we can lean on and seek support from – be that a health care provider, friend or family member.
I’m not suggesting that physiotherapy is the outright answer to all of the above, and I won’t say that your appointment is worthless if you don’t declare every last thing but I know that these concerns impact your overall health, and if it is frequently on you mind, it is likely playing a massive role in why you’re seeing a physio in the first place (even if you’re not connecting those dots just yet). I also wholeheartedly believe that we’ll be a happier species if we stop trying to cope in isolation.
So, my suggestion is this: Stop hiding your toxic mushroom. Let your support structure in on its existence, let them help you carry the burden and when its top of mind in a health consult, speak up about it, because it is definitely relevant!
Your health and physical wellbeing should be a priority deserving of quality care. Make sure to discuss any concerns you may have directly with your preferred physiotherapist, so that you can receive the appropriate guidance for your unique situation.
Photo by Mihajlo Horvat on Unsplash