After 30 years working in physical therapy and rehabilitation and now having my own training and medical exercise business, I've seen my share of people with chronic injuries. After spending so much time with people in need of help, there's one thing I've learned: not everybody wants it. Well, that's not necesarily true; they want relief from pain and immobility, but many are not willing to do what it takes to achieve that beyond a shot, a pill or surgery. Now, I'm quite sure that some people have always been this way, but I do think the rise of technology and medical scinece has prodocued several side affects, including a general unwillingess to put in the time and effort to achieve physical goals.
Would you like to know one of the best places to be a phyical therapist or assistant? The United States military. You see, if an active duty member got injured on or off duty, they had an obliagation to recover as quickly as possible. I use obligation loosely here, as though there was choice invovled. Allow me to give a real world senario. When I was assigned to Luke AFB in Arizona, I had a patient, a young senior airman who had sustained a fracture in his humerus. He was a jet mechanic and obviously could not perofrm his duties, so he basically sat in an office, maybe filed papers, or something. It wasn't a serious fracture and he probably could have gone back to work within six weeks. Problem is, he did the bare minimum in therapy and started missing appointments. There is no such thing as missing an appointment when you're active duty. So, I had a chat with his boss and first sargent, suggesting he may need and attitude adjustment. Can you believe that troop instantly became one of the best patients ever? Amazing what a little "tune up" will do for motivation.
After leaving the military and transitioning into civilian life and civilian health care, I had to learn how to let people do their own thing when it came to physical therapy. And over the last 20 years, I've come to the realization that a lot people would prefer to take a pill or even have surgery to address a chronic problem instead of making some difficult choices. Let's take Type II Diabetes, for example. Almost always avoidable and in most cases, reversable, yet a lot folks will continue to take insulin and start losing toes instead of doing a little exercise and losing some weight. I make it sound simplistic because, it is. Eat less crap, get more activity. You don't have to go on a celery diet and you don't run marathons. You do have to make better food choices and get some exercise.
I have had a few clients who had gone through physical therapy for chronic joint issues. Typically, my first question is, "What did you do in therapy?", and "Did you do all of your home exercises?" More often then than not, I recommend a lot of the same things their therapist did. "Can't you just stretch me out?" Well yeah, I can. But so can you. Here's how...they don't want to know how. All of my training clients get a musculoskeletal assessment from head-to-toe. We look at everthing from general strength, to gait, joint mobility...the works. Then, I create a program specially for them, either videos or picutres and lots of explinatiton. Sometimes, I won't hear from them for several months, and then when I do, they often have the same problem. "Did you do the exercises?" You can guess the answer.
I see the same issues in our martial arts classes. People come here with all of the right intetions. They want to learn karate, get in better shape, know how to defend themselves. During my initial interview with a prospective student, I ask them what their goals are and most are looking for discipline. Here's the thing: I can't give you discipline and can't teach you discipline. Nor can I do that for your kid...that's your job, by the way. I can provide a disciplined and challenging environment, but my influence over those things diminishes as soon as you step out of the dojo. Helping you achieve your goals in fitness or martial arts is a two-way street. I provide the knowledge and exertise; you do the work, on my time and yours. Again, sounds simple because it is.
Bottom line, in most cases, I can help you and I want to help you. That's why I have a business that offers my two passions; martial arts an fitness. But I can't put in the work and sweat for you. I can only do that for me and some days, just like you, it's challenge. As soon as I'm done with this blog, I need to hit the weights to maintain my strength and prepare for my upcoming hip surgery. I'd much rather have another cup of coffee, maybe an omlette. But I have to put in the work if I want results. I have to push myself if I want to get my life back after several years of some pretty bad arthritis...that's another story. Anyway, I'm going to go hit it. How about you?
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho