Dr. Rob Martinez directs me how to stand, making subtle adjustments in my posture and how I am standing.
“What is your level of pain now?”
I reply “I went from an 8 to 5.”
He makes another minor adjustment and asks: “And now?”
“Down to a 2.”
Wow. I have been dealing with a chronic pain issue in my shoulder/neck for months. I have seen a number of practitioners who have helped to reduce my discomfort, but nothing sticks. The pain returns.
I came in here today resolved that I must need surgery or some major intervention, and looking for medical science to take my pain away. Make it easy. Do it to/for me. Give me a pill. Do surgery. Whatever it takes.
Instead, he has shown me that my chronic pain is coming from weakness in core muscle groups, and the resulting poor posture and chronic stress on my joints. He also points out that I am not breathing deeply and this is adding to my background stress and tension.
The realization creeps over me: I can build the strength and posture I need to be pain free — the power is in me. All I have to do is bring myself present to my posture during the day, do some basic PT exercises, and breathe more deeply.
I thought “Could it really be that simple?” I suspect it is. Simple, but not easy. I have to do the work. But that effort is within my control.
This got me wondering, where else am I suffering and looking for someone else to fix or change me? Where does the power lie within me to make the changes, choose the habits, or take the actions that will create more of the experience of life that I desire? And importantly, what result is worth the effort?
My answer to the last question is: being pain free and able to climb into my 50’s. That would be worth it!
Contact info: Dr. Robert Martinez, (425) 828-6232, drrobmartinez@comcast.net.
PS I should mention that about 10 years ago I visited Dr. Rob the day before I was scheduled to have surgery on both my knees. He assured me that I did not need surgery but I felt locked in and had the procedures anyway. He proved right. The surgeries did not fix my knees. They did create post surgical complications that lasted many months.