The Test & Retest Method: 

Einstein was not wrong when he said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. You have tried many different approaches/methods to alleviate your lower back pain. However, the kink in your back, the twinge you feel with the wrong movement, or the tension that just never goes away is still a constant problem. It is not your fault! You are in a system that keeps you in the pain cycle hamster wheel. It is profitable/great for the economy but TERRIBLE FOR YOU! You have become the means to a broken system’s end! The test and restest method will give you the WHY behind what you are doing. Learn this, and you will know when to pivot to a new exercise, mobility drill, stretch, and persevere, trusting the results will come soon. 

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The Wounded Dog in the Woods Theory

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Your body has become a wounded dog in the woods. The tension, tightness, flair-ups, general confusion, bad advice, and fear have taken their toll on your body and nervous system.  IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT that your body is confused.  It has become afraid of everything.  Like a wounded dog in the woods, your body is scared of something that might help it. When you begin to approach your body with love and empathy,  your world will begin to change.  Your body learns to relax and trust that you are there to help. When this happens, the constant aches and pains, the sleepless nights, and terrible mornings will be nothing more than a distant memory. You will no longer be the wounded dog in the woods. You are pain-free, enjoying life, and doing all of the activities you once thought were only a dream. 

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The Trampoline Effect

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Sometimes, things get worse before they get better. What happens the first time you go jogging, do situps or something else your body is not accustomed to? Your muscles get sore. We accept this with a good feeling because we know it is part of the process. When this happens with your lower back pain, many medical professionals tell you to STOP what you are doing and continue to rest with medicine? Would a doctor ever tell you the same with sore abs from situps? Of course not. 

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How often have you done the proper exercise, and things were positively sore, just like the soreness situps? You were on the right path yet advised against it! That is not your fault! I am not saying the medical system is broken on purpose (one could make a strong argument that it is), but you were on the right path before someone accidentally stopped and turned you back around. You will start to learn the difference between good and bad pain. Your body might experience some “good” pain when beginning the exercises to eliminate your lower back pain. Knowing the difference between the two is vital because it teaches you how to understand your body’s language. 

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