This is one of the largest fallacies that exists. What many people have never been told is that symptoms of any kind are most often the late stage effects of any dysfunction. In other words, pain generally doesn't arise until the body can no longer cope with the affliction.

Take an example of a truck driver who has spent many years in a sitting position, torquing and twisting his body in the same repetitive motions. While he may never have experienced pain before, during a long haul, he is suddenly struck by a symptomatic bout of debilitating pain and can't understand what has happened or what he has done to cause this pain. The pain of course is simply the body's way of saying enough is enough, it can no longer adapt to the dysfunction that exists in his spine.

Pain is the body's protective mechanism. Pain prevents you from further damaging an already problematic area. It is understandable then, that when we finally take action to repair an area in which we have felt pain, it can take some time to rehabilitate that injured area. Rehabilitation is accomplished through correcting the dysfunction, stabilizing the affected areas, and finally strengthening the musculoskeletal systems involved.

But this is only the first part of the solution, the return to full function will depend on the the patient. Those patients who help themselves with their care will return to a healthy state more rapidly. (see Back to Basics Recovery Guidelines) When a patient asks a Doctor how long it will take to get better, a good Doctor will tell them, "...it all depends on you." (see also Things get bad over time -- Stop them early.)

Close this window.