Mistake #7: Not taking control
No one knows your body as well as you do, and nobody cares about your health as much as you do. Even if you're working with a great professional, you still need to educate yourself.
Unfortunately, most people don't know much about how their own body works, let alone what actually causes back pain and how to get rid of it. Patients who are knowledgeable get better and faster results. Make the decision to be active in your own rehab.
Here's what you need to do: 1. If what you're doing isn't working...STOP! Whatever treatment you're trying, you must see steady improvement. Otherwise, you need to make a change.
2. Deal with the problem NOW Waiting will only make things worse.
3. Recognize that fit people have muscle imbalances, too Athletes, in fact, may actually be at greater risk.
4. Treat the symptoms AND the cause Getting rid of pain is not the way to long term relief.
5. Remember, it's a process Your condition didn't happen overnight, and it's not going to go away overnight.
6. Be open-minded and positive If you try something new and believe it will work, then it just might. Negative thoughts guarantee failure.
7. Take control and take action Don't go to a doctor and sit there with your mouth shut. If they throw a word at you that you don't understand - ask what it means.
In the end, the power is in your hands.