Today I’m laying down a trail of bread crumbs that, if you follow it, might just lead you (or anyone you care about) to be pain-free, or far closer to it. So without further suspense, here are my Top 4 Biggest Pain MYTHS:

  1. “It’s better just to lie in bed.”

It’s a common misbelief that the answer to pain is simply to rest it.  This one’s been debunked for a while actually – research shows that most painful conditions need some sort of movement in order to heal.  Movement helps blood flow, preserves muscle strength, and prevents fear that inhibits recovery. What type and degree of exercise depends on the problem, but putting the body through progressive, step-by-step pain-free movement is a key part of any pain or recovery plan.

  1. “You can ignore minor pain.”

Would you ignore the gas light flashing at you from your car’s dashboard? Any type of pain is an indicator, and if left alone it can lead to worse pain and health problems, both short-term and in the long run.  This goes double for any pain that’s recurring, persistent, or chronic. That’s why it’s best to heed any such warning and get it properly assessed. **You may have already asked me about ‘this’ twinge or ‘that’ ache, and I’m happy to continue answering your questions so that we both know if it’s something to address, monitor, or let lie.

  1. “No pain, no gain.”

This old workout cliché is worth tossing in the recycle bin. It’s true that vigorous exercise is part of a healthy plan and YES this can involve some discomfort like burning muscles and heavy breathing, but there’s ‘good’ pain and ‘bad’ pain.  If we’re being honest with ourselves, we can usually tell the difference.  For example – if during exercise you notice something that doesn’t feel right, that’s bad.  If during your recovery you notice tension, soreness, or something that reminds you how “intense” that last workout was, that’s likely the good stuff.

Bad pain is there to tell you when something’s up, like an impending (or existing) strain, sprain or tear, and is NEVER good to push through.

  1. “Pain is part of aging.”

Look, just because friends and relatives your age or older ‘put up with’ or accept pain doesn’t mean you have to! Many of the aches and pains we gripe about as we get older can be traced back to a low-grade buildup of inflammation.  This can be caused by toxins in our diets and the environment, wear and tear, or muscle imbalances. You’ll go far by cutting back on inflammatory foods like sugar, dairy, and grains, working out to get stronger, and optimizing nerve function through regular chiropractic care.  When nerve function is blocked in some way, your nervous system can’t do its job of healing and filtering out pain signals. Instead, it winds up sounding alarm bells over every little thing!

Anyway, hope those bread crumbs (gluten-free if your imagination needed to go there!) went down well. Just a little “food” for thought as we head into summer.

Reminder Re: “Daddy Day Care” Hours ;-)

Per my last email THE CLINIC IS NOW OPEN (with modified hours to balance extra Dad time – see below; should daycare truly open in July, stay tuned for increased hours.)

Monday: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday: 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Thursday: 3:00 pm – 5:45 pm

Friday: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Remember, we’re here to help!

Sincerely In Health,

Dr. Josh

P.S.  Check out the latest clinic tour and the safety measures we’ve put in place if you haven’t already:

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“For several years, I have experienced lower back and neck pain, low immunity, and headaches.  To combat these issues I began running, changed my diet, and sought chiropractic care.  I began working with Dr. Joshua five months ago and I am astounded by the changes – no more headaches or back pain, as well as reduced neck pain, and stronger immunity.  I have never felt stronger, more dynamic, or healthier.  Thank you, Dr. Joshua!” – Michelle S.

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