The Importance of Tradition

As we approach the Holidays we embrace traditions. Uncle Erv brings the pumpkin pie. Cousin Elroy brings the (slightly overcooked) oyster dressing. Nancy wears that apron with the turkey wielding a hatchet. Your brother shows up 2 hours late with the Turkey. Traditions, it’s what we know. Love them or hate them, we embrace them, because in some way they make us feel secure and connected to something important about our past.

Mess with my traditions at your peril! No mashed potatoes this year? WRONG. Take-out for the Holiday dinner? WRONG. No jig-saw puzzle to mull over? WRONG. No Lions game on during the festivities? WRONG. No schmaltzy

Christmas-y movie on? WRONG.

But occasionally when we are weak or sleepy or overstuffed, a new thing will slide into the rotation. Usually someone younger, or a new invitee, or an in-law will introduce something so radically different that we, perhaps out of politeness, but usually due to emotional shock, let it slide in. And if thrust into the Holiday milieu two years running, BANG, a new Tradition! Henceforth, we begin to look at the techno-music synced to light as “normal”; Elf on the Shelf? Why, of course! Matching PJs on social media? Sign me up. Zoom call during dinner with Uncle Al in LA? Why did it take so long?!

So it is with Physical Therapy Practice. We are steeped in traditional means of caring for our patients and clients. We believe in creating a comfortable atmosphere. We believe in a Professional approach, including active listening and privacy for both your comfort and our focus. We are life-long learners and educators - of patients and each other. We prioritize problem solving to create individual solutions. We enjoy interaction and are committed to one-on-one care. We believe that the stretching and mobility activities that are so helpful for you are also a means to help people to become more independent. We are all in on exercise, the more specific the better.

Yet our commitment to the tried-and-true, evidence-based treatment (traditions) doesn’t mean that when we see an emerging innovative and effective treatment or wellness service that we can’t add that to our health repertoire. Dry needling has been a highly specific and effective tool for chronic pain and muscle irritability. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) has been very effective in helping to restore strength efficiently.  Professional recovery services have been shown to improve athletic recovery and performance using percussion massage, professional stretching, Dry Needling, and compression boots. And emerging research into living not only a longer life -but also filling it with more vitality- reminds us of the importance of basic factors like lowering our Body Mass Index, improving our cardiovascular health, increasing strength, maintaining balance, and sleeping well.

We try to meld these new and emerging services into our practice as research confirms their effectiveness, just as we embrace the matching pajamas and high-tech holiday light shows at home. By optimizing options in your care, we can maintain a strong base in the traditional means of care, while selectively adding new techniques and methodologies as they are shown to be effective. I would like to think that strikes an imperfect balance that provides solutions for a wide variety of people and conditions without compromising or chasing fads. We embrace these new health “traditions” because, much like our own family traditions, they improve your experience and outcome.

What has always worked, still works. When we find better, faster, more effective, more comfortable options, we fold them into the mix. Until we do, we are pretty happy with our traditions - and our ugly Christmas Sweaters.

Thanksgiving and Season’s greetings to you and yours, and if we can make your season brighter with our PT or wellness services, please contact any friendly Body One front office.

Best,

Brian