Liminality. A time of waiting. A
time of transition. The holidays have many of us waiting and transitioning to holiday get-togethers
and a new year. Back pain has some of us Sitka back pain
and neck pain sufferers transitioning and waiting
on a state of pain relief as well.
The waiting is sometimes the toughest
part. Waiting for the big holiday and waiting for the relief of back pain or neck pain are packed with
anticipation. Exercising, breathing, and walking are good
ways to deal with the liminality. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is right beside our Sitka chiropractic patients as they wait.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF THROUGH BACK PAIN’S LIMINALITY
Back pain specialists will frequently suggest
ice/heat/exercise for home care. New studies are showing that deep breathing exercises (particularly
the pursed-lips version which sufferers reported to be more calming and pleasant with stronger
sense of control) (1), diaphragmatic deep breathing (6 breaths per
minute for 10 minutes two times a day for a month
effectively generated positive outcomes to improve
autonomic function by reducing sympathetic activity) (2), and
long-distance walking (which created time to be
in a ‘liminal space’ to reflect on one’s
struggles, find calmness, and process
current thoughts) (3) are useful.
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka supports any of these practices to
enhance the healing, pain-relieving course of action
with Sitka chiropractic services.
LIMINALITY IN BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA CARE
A fascinating outcome from a study performed
in the UK - SCOPiC (SCiatica Outcomes in Primary Care) – explained
the thoughtful state of ‘liminality’ many sciatica or sciatic
leg pain sufferers employ to cope with their
pain and its recovery path. The study has researchers
interview sciatic low back
pain sufferers. Sciatica is accompanied by
its own distinctive group of issues in terms of its
persistence and symptom severity. Researchers explained
the concept of “biographical suspension” as it pertains
to sciatica patients who seem to put life on hold while expecting an
ultimate return to their former, pain-free
selves, holding onto hope while also handling distress.
This is a form of ‘liminality’, the time between pre- and post-pain,
bolstered by a belief that sciatica is temporary and fixable, not a long-term disease.
Even those who had sciatic leg pain for a while
maintained this belief. (4) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is often
awestruck by the persistence of back pain and leg pain sufferers
to find something that works for them. They frequently
talk with a variety of healthcare
providers and try a variety of approaches as they are
confident that there is help. Sitka back pain and
Sitka leg pain patients are often relieved when they get to Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka as we take
the time to clearly explain the spinal problem, its treatment,
its expected outcome, and its treatment plan including the frequency of visits and the expected timeframe for
relief. The 50% Rule guides both: 50% subjective relief (how you
feel) along with 50% objective relief (via specific test findings) reduce
the treatment plan frequency by 50% (ex: daily visits change to
every other day). Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka constantly monitors
the back and leg pain sufferer’s progress toward pain relief with the Cox®
Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Patterson on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the role of patient expectations in their
pain relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Set up your next Sitka
chiropractic appointment soon. Waiting while transitioning from
pain to pain-relief is a time of hope mingled with a
little worry. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka understands this and has
the experience in walking this path with our low back pain
and sciatica patients. Liminality need not be endured alone!