Looking below the surface
“Please tell me your story. What brings you here? When did your journey begin?
Where is your pain? How did it start? What makes it worse? What makes it better?
How do you sit, stand and sleep? How do you walk and pick things up off the floor?
Do you exercise? How long do you sit each day? Do you have children? Are you married? What do you do for a living?”
Little do they realize that I am watching them from the moment they walk in the door. I observe the way they walk, take their coat off and sit down. I observe their posture and body positioning. I look at a variety of angles on their body and how the different parts interact with the other. All of this happens before the Physical Evaluation. And once that gets started, I will have another 20-30 questions to ask which will inevitably lead to more.
We are immensely complicated humans. We are layers of fascinating quirks and mysteries. The majority of people who come to see me have come because they can no longer tolerate the pain in their physical body and they need help finding out why it’s there. My job is to look below the surface and to trace it back to the potential triggers and catalysts that brought them where they are today.
I’m fascinated by the patterns in the human existence that lead to destructive or beneficial outcomes. I’ve learned that our physical body is deeply interwoven with the mind and spirit. I can see the impact of emotions on the tone of the human body. I’ve discovered that if I trace it back, I can most often find the reason for their pain. It’s just cause and effect. The life without is a reflection of the life within.
We all have a story. I love looking through the magnifying glass at my patient’s story and telling it back to them with the solutions that will bring them relief and improve the harmony of their unique existence. I love offering the hope that will bring them back to a place of healing and restoration. My heart works through my hands as I minister physical touch and restoration to their muscles and joints. It’s so rewarding to see them get off my table with less pain than they climbed up there with. I love helping others return to joy.
Haanal 9.33 “When the thought has been trained to look below the surface everything takes on a different appearance, the insignificant becomes significant, the uninteresting interesting; the things which we supposed to be of no importance are seen to be the only really vital things in existence.”
Thank you for your kind words. I’m a Physical Therapist in Kansas.
grateful for your blog post – thank you Teresa & hope it’s been a lovely MKE Week 9 for you 🙂
The World Within really does include our physical body, doesn’t it, Teresa! 🙂
I loved how you shared how you look at people and notice every detail about them. You are engaging them long before you or they say a word. I love how you think and I got the feeling you have the heart to heal your patients. I wish I can find a primary care provider like you. I am guessing you might be a chiropractor. Wish you were in my area.
Teresa, great blog, thank you for sharing.
Fascinating and inspiring blog Teresa! It is clear you authentically love the service you provide. Your description,
“My job is to look below the surface and to trace it back to the potential triggers and catalysts that brought them where they are today” is directly in line with The Master Key Chapter 8 mental exercise imagining the Battleship. We are always linking- great job!
Hi Teresa, first, I just love the description of your work and since I have spent a little time with Hakomi, I am somewhat familiar with what you are saying. I love how you weaved into your description your studies and your work…artful expression…thank you