Over the next few months I am going to touch on a few of the most common thoughts or myths I have encountered in my spondylolisthesis journey over the last 15 years.
I have fallen victim to a few spondylolisthesis myths and I am sure you have too.
One of the most common myths I see is the thought that there is a magic pill, magic stretch or magic exercise that will cure all of your spondylolisthesis pain, discomfort, and worries in the blink of an eye.
I have fallen victim to a few spondylolisthesis myths and I am sure you have too.
One of the most common myths I see is the thought that there is a magic pill, magic stretch or magic exercise that will cure all of your spondylolisthesis pain, discomfort, and worries in the blink of an eye.
There is no "magic" pill that will cure all of your spondy pain for good.
I personally have fallen victim to this myth. When I was first diagnosed with a spondylolisthesis at the age of sixteen I was quick to take any anti inflammatory to get rid of my pain. I was young, dumb and willing to try anything to get rid of my pain. I didn’t understand that drugs only masked the pain and never prevented the pain from coming back.
Using an anti inflammatory is a good way to relieve some inflammation when it is at its worst. But relying on them daily is no way to get rid of your pain long term.
The poor movement and weaknesses that often accompany spondylolisthesis are not affected by any anti inflammatory.
After realizing this I began looking for a stretch or exercise that would help me get rid of the pain. I tried what seemed like everything. Looking at books (the internet was not like it is now!), trying multiple therapy clinics and visiting several back specialists. The whole time I was looking for that one stretch that would stop the pain as fast as possible.
Needless to say I never found that one stretch. You might stumble across a stretch or exercise that might give you some brief relief, but that ONE magic pill, stretch, or exercise does not exist.
Trust me……I have looked everywhere!
It wasn’t until I learned about how the body moves and works that a COMBINATION of exercises began providing relief. It was like a team of stretches and exercises instead of an individual.
Everyone has certain strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed. More than likely if you have a spondylolisthesis you have more than one area that should be focused on. And for that reason one stretch will not do much for you in the long run.
If you do have a spondylolisthesis it is important to understand that recovering and feeling better takes time, dedication and effort. There is no such thing as one magic pill that can cure everything.
I can’t tell you how many people I have talked with that are under the impression that there is a pill, stretch, or exercise that is out there that will rid them of all their pain.
The best mindset to take is to understand that you can feel better…you will just have to work at it. Be consistent, determined and patient and you can improve how you move and feel. But DO NOT expect to feel better in one day with one stretch or one exercise.
You have spent years moving poorly which could be due to many things. Being tight, weak, or unstable are just a few. You can’t correct the years of improper movement with one stretch in one day.
The faster you understand there is no such thing as a magic pill for spondylolisthesis, the faster you can begin to understand how to achieve long term relief.
Find someone that will help you put together a series of exercises, stretches and movements that will help to counterbalance your daily activities and current issues.
Then you can start to move and feel better consistently.
Using an anti inflammatory is a good way to relieve some inflammation when it is at its worst. But relying on them daily is no way to get rid of your pain long term.
The poor movement and weaknesses that often accompany spondylolisthesis are not affected by any anti inflammatory.
After realizing this I began looking for a stretch or exercise that would help me get rid of the pain. I tried what seemed like everything. Looking at books (the internet was not like it is now!), trying multiple therapy clinics and visiting several back specialists. The whole time I was looking for that one stretch that would stop the pain as fast as possible.
Needless to say I never found that one stretch. You might stumble across a stretch or exercise that might give you some brief relief, but that ONE magic pill, stretch, or exercise does not exist.
Trust me……I have looked everywhere!
It wasn’t until I learned about how the body moves and works that a COMBINATION of exercises began providing relief. It was like a team of stretches and exercises instead of an individual.
Everyone has certain strengths and weaknesses that need to be addressed. More than likely if you have a spondylolisthesis you have more than one area that should be focused on. And for that reason one stretch will not do much for you in the long run.
If you do have a spondylolisthesis it is important to understand that recovering and feeling better takes time, dedication and effort. There is no such thing as one magic pill that can cure everything.
I can’t tell you how many people I have talked with that are under the impression that there is a pill, stretch, or exercise that is out there that will rid them of all their pain.
The best mindset to take is to understand that you can feel better…you will just have to work at it. Be consistent, determined and patient and you can improve how you move and feel. But DO NOT expect to feel better in one day with one stretch or one exercise.
You have spent years moving poorly which could be due to many things. Being tight, weak, or unstable are just a few. You can’t correct the years of improper movement with one stretch in one day.
The faster you understand there is no such thing as a magic pill for spondylolisthesis, the faster you can begin to understand how to achieve long term relief.
Find someone that will help you put together a series of exercises, stretches and movements that will help to counterbalance your daily activities and current issues.
Then you can start to move and feel better consistently.
