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The Language We Use, Part 2 (Football and Therapy, W-0, L-5)

My previous post on the “Language We Use” garnered a few replies here and on other sites, though not as much as I had hoped. I feel like I may have hit a raw nerve in many.

I believe that I, like many of you, get so caught up in the enthusiasm of learning a new modality that we forget to touch base with reality. It is not my point to trash anyone’s beliefs or manner of
explanation. I simply ask whether you have ever stepped back and
analyzed the language that you use to explain your work.

A number of years back I took a trashing on SomaSimple.com for my defense of the language I spoke. Based on the number of hits that thread received, some of you may have read it. My defense of
Myofascial Release was quite weak, as I was only repeating the words I
was taught. Certainly not the best way to defend a subject. This
experience was a turning point for me, in many ways. My language has
changed since that time, and so has my treatment.

Has your language changed?

I’m a week late on reporting, but another loss by the Bills… It seems like that may be a pattern.

Walt Fritz, PT

www.MyofascialResource.com

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Comment by Walt Fritz, PT on October 21, 2010 at 9:24am: Thanks, Terry. If anyone else in interested, that research can be found at www.MoyfascialResource.com

Comment by Walt Fritz, PT on October 21, 2010 at 6:44am: Knowing when to say "I don't know, but..." is something to be admired.

Deconstructing the language we are taught is not easy, as thoughts become ingrained as fact. With reflection and exposure to research, etc., discrepancies become apparent. This is one reason I track down, read, and post research on my website. It does make me a better therapist.

Comment by Walt Fritz, PT on October 20, 2010 at 8:13pm: Good advice, Terry, and I believe that you do. But, if the "simple" language that one uses is based on false logic or fact, is simplicity enough? I don't mean that we need to dissect everything that we say to clients, but the urban legends of body work are very prevalent.