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How to get unstuck from the mud of chronic pain

11/7/2016

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My daughter had her last soccer game of the season last weekend and it was one of those classic Portland, Oregon fall days - rainy! After setting the record for the wettest October ever in the Portland area, what used to be beautiful grass fields in summer, had turned into a muddy mess on Saturday. 
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Almost half the grass was gone and replaced with inch deep mud. There were puddles on the field. Every step you took your feet sunk 2 inches into the ground. When the ball was kicked, often a fountain of muddy water flew in all directions, and no matter how fast the ball was traveling it would often stop suddenly in a muddy splash. Several of the girls were scared their shoes would get stuck in the mud and come off. I'm sure anyone who lives in a rainy climate like Portland can relate.

But what does soccer in the mud have to do with chronic pain and posture therapy, you ask? A lot. ​
Many people with chronic pain have become stuck in the mud. These people have often been in pain for years and have tried many things, but just haven't gotten the pain to go away and often it's become worse. They've been to doctors, pain specialists, physical therapists, massage therapists, and other experts and often come out the other side with the diagnosis of "chronic pain" and nothing really to do about it. Sure they might have some pain medication to help them feel better, and might still be going to regular physical therapy or massage therapy appointments which give a little short term relief, but they are not getting better, they are just managing the pain. They are stuck in the mud. 
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I'm sure many of you reading this can relate. You're developed chronic pain over the years and have just kind of accepted it and now live with it.

You might say: "It's chronic pain. I've tried everything and none of it worked. There's nothing else I can do. I just have to live with it." 

Or have been told by your doctor, "At our age, everyone has some type of chronic pain. For me it's my knees, they're both shot. You have a bad back. We just have to learn to live with it." 

I don't believe that though. I believe there is always something you can do to improve, get better, and decrease your pain. I even believe many, if not most, of you can eliminate your pain. The Egoscue Method of Postural Alignment Therapy was founded by Pete Egoscue when he was in the same situation as you. He had been told there was nothing he could do about his pain and he'd just have to learn to live with it. He was a young 22 year-old Marine at the time and refused to give in to that idea. Pete Egoscue refused to stay stuck in the mud and found a way to free himself.
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How did Pete Egoscue do it? The same way thousands of other people who once suffered with chronic pain became pain free. By deciding to move. By doing something. By doing anything. The alternative is to stay still, stay stuck in the mud. We all know what happens when you stand still, you slowly start sinking deeper and deeper into the mud every day. As Pete Egoscue, while in the intensive care unit of a U.S. hospital ship after being shot while serving in Vietnam, overheard a military doctor say to another doctor when asked if a badly injured soldier make it, "You either get well or you die." To put it bluntly, if you are stuck in the mud you are moving toward death. If you instead begin moving, you are starting the path to getting well. 

If you are in chronic pain and find yourself stuck in the mud, but want to become pain free, I believe you must do 3 things. I came up with these three things over 12 years ago and thousands of people have followed my advice and freed themselves from the mud of chronic pain and returned to a pain free and active life. Click the link below and I hope it helps you get out of the mud and back to living a full life. 
The 3 things you must do to be pain free for life

Related articles/videos:
Pain free convictions
Fear - creating a new definition changes everything!
Rules for longer, happier lives
Breaking down barriers to health
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    About Matt Whitehead

    I'm an Egoscue Institute certified Postural Alignment Specialist (PAS) and Advanced Exercise Therapist (AET), certified personal trainer, PatchFitness performer, FiveFingers wearer, trail runner, mountain biker, dad, music lover, environmentalist, and wanna-be slam dunk champion. I will be providing you with the latest posture exercises to help you live, play, and be pain free.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY

I really just wanted to express my gratitude for what you do and your great help. And, great help it was!! When one is in constant great pain for as long as I was and so desperate for help...words cannot express what I want to say....how can I thank you enough? You helped change my life. 
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