How Do You Know What Works?

What is your definition of "Works"?

Does something “work” if it makes you feel better?

Does something “work” because it gives you more confidence?

Does something “work” because you perform better?

Be careful not to fall into the trap of assuming something works simply because of improvement in some marker; pain, range of motion, affect, performance, etc.

Remember, I could give you morphine and improve almost all of those, but that improvement doesn't mean your problem is fixed, or being fixed; we cannot equate the two, but far too often, we do.

The trap that we fall into, as people and as therapists and coaches, is equating works with betterment.

Here's the pickle: a lot of things we do and have done to us can make us feel better, but it doesn't mean it works, or rather, doesn't mean they are actually fixing or addressing the problem(s).

What's worse, is this assumption often leads therapists, coaches, and clients alike down an endless rabbit hole seeking out the next thing that works, often ending up in a pit of despair and hopelessness.

You've been there. Haven't you? So many of us have. The question then becomes, what do we do about it? How do we determine what works AND what's being fixed/changed for the better?

It requires a thorough understanding of the interconnected nature of the body, how all systems work together and influence one another, how to assess each of those systems individually, and how they are affecting other systems, to understand how to intervene and how to reassess individual and collective system function, and then be able to prescribe interventions, movements, lifestyle changes, mindset changes and performance goals, all stacked together over time, and progressively make it harder over time, along with a system of self assessment that informs us as to whether our self-administered and clinician/therapist/coach administered interventions are, in fact, “working.”

In essence, we need to do a far better job of Assess, Don't Guess.

In the next post let’s explore some common examples of how we fall into this assumption trap, along with some strategies to start to break free from it.

Until then, what have your experiences been like? I want to know. Shoot me your thoughts on Instagram @the_movement_nomad, via the website here, or email me at adhartaspt@icloud.com. Cheers!