Q. I have terrible chronic back and neck pain. I have taken pills, done massage therapy and even had surgery. What do you know about the Egoscue method? — Margaret C., Denver, COLO.
A. While everyone has experienced acute pain at some time, chronic pain — defined by the Medical College of Wisconsin as "continuous pain lasting more than six months" — can be a medical mystery. With more than 50 million Americans suffering from chronic pain, it is now looked at medically as a separate condition or disease.
Chronic pain often arises from a condition that remains untreated for too long. Ignoring pain is always unwise, because it is your body's primary means of communication when something is amiss. Simply taking painkillers on a daily basis just shoots the messenger.
What to do?
Chronic-pain specialist Dr. Martin D. Hoffman, of Medical College of Wisconsin and Froedtert Hospital, says that the best results can be achieved through a multidisciplinary approach. A typical team might include a physical therapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, physiatrist, nurse, anesthesiologist and exercise specialist. "Often, a variety of approaches may be necessary to give patients relief from chronic pain," he says.
Many specialists specifically recommend exercise, because it releases endorphins, a natural pain reliever. Hoffman became a strong advocate of exercise when he found that many patients with chronic back pain felt significantly better after 25 minutes of riding an exercise bike. Exercise also promotes better sleep and reduces the anxiety and depression that often come with chronic pain. Inactivity, on the other hand, causes muscles (including the heart) to lose strength and function, allowing them to work less efficiently.
Other avenues recommended by pain sufferers are Egoscue® and Muscle Activation Technique®. Both are similar in that they look at the body as a systemic whole, recognizing that when one area is harmed, the whole organism is affected. Where conventional therapies will focus primarily on the area in pain and treat from that perspective, both MAT and Egoscue focus on correcting muscle imbalances that interfere with proper movement and function.
According to
www.egoscue.com, "The Egoscue Method® (800-995-8434) is a process designed to help you rediscover, restore and return your body to its original pain-free blueprint without the use of drugs, surgery and/or manipulation. The Egoscue Method® provides personalized exercises that retrain muscles, realign posture and reduce pain."
MAT (
www.muscleactivation.com or 877-999-9628) promotes itself as "bridging the gap between fitness and rehabilitation." MAT-trained therapists, working one-on-one, examine joint function to find the muscles that are not responding properly (which forces the body to compensate) and restore the proper neurological connection. A MAT session will determine which muscles are not supporting the body properly, then "jump-start" them through isometric exercises or palpitation, restoring their ability to function more effectively.
Both of these methods have support from professional athletes and average folks alike. Since neither is likely to be covered by conventional insurance plans, expenses will probably be out of pocket. However, both are scientifically sound and worthy of investigation.
Linda Buch is a fitness trainer in Denver, Colo., and Lancaster County native. Her book, "The Commercial Break Workout" (Crown/Random House), is available in bookstores. Please send your questions to: Linda@LJBalance.com or c/o "Body Language," Lancaster New Era, P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608.
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