Alex, a personal trainer, suffered a serious shoulder injury about 7 months ago (a grade III Acromio-clavicular sprain). The injury had a significant impact on particularly his physical well being, but as it stopped him from working, exercising and doing the things that brought him joy and meaning, it also had a significant impact on his mental and emotional health, as he explains in the video.
These psychological factors likely had a significant role to play in the persistence of his pain and dysfunction (they made him move in unnatural ways). By identifying these, becoming aware of their impact, and using strategies to manage them, as well as treating Alex as a whole person (not just a shoulder), his physiotherapist was able to coach him back to living quickly, saving him time and money in the long run.
Alex now has a whole new perspective on what pain is, and shares some tips for other personal trainers and people in the health and fitness industry to help minimise the risk of them inadvertently sending their clients down a journey of pain and misery.
We discuss:
– the role of thoughts and emotions on pain
– myths and rules in personal training
– advice for other personal trainers
Socials: @Paineddotcom @KWernliPhysio
DISCLAIMER: this story (while common) is unique to Alex’s circumstances. A thorough history and examination accompanied his individualised rehabilitation strategy and therefore this video is to be used for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your trusted healthcare professional… and don’t be afraid to get a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Xth opinion – there are many different ways to get back to living. It can be hard, but putting yourself in the driver’s seat, and getting people around you to help coach you (as opposed to fixing you), can be helpful.
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