If you’ve never heard of the X-Men you don’t know what you’re missing. A bunch of men and women who have extraordinary abilities thanks to genetic mutations, a leap forward in human evolution. Abilities such as super-fast healing, psychic powers, or shooting frickin’ laser beams from their eyes! They are of course a work of fiction from Marvel Comics, and have spawned a whole franchise of cartoons, films etc. This little blog is about the X-Men who live amongst us.

I talk all the time about a “normal spectrum of human variation”. What I mean is that people come in all shapes and sizes. In the world of Physio we can be far too obsessed with saying that you need to be a certain posture or you need to run a certain way when, in reality, variation is fine. Lots of people move and stand and have anatomy that is not ‘text book’, but we are supposed to, we really are all different. So I try to reassure people and not feed into myths or insecurities, if something looks different from ‘the normal’ it’s usually still fine and just part of that normal spectrum of how different all humans can be. One thing that varies a lot is human flexibility. It can depend on your genetics, activity levels, environment, and other lifestyle factors. Genetic flexibility mostly involves how tight or loose your ligaments are, but also relates to muscular flexibility, bone/joint geometry, and how elastic your other tissues are. Some people are loosey-goosey and others are tight as a drum. For those that are very loose (or you may hear it referred to as hypermobility or double-jointed) it can be a benefit – particularly for those that want to do activities that require a lot of flexibility like dance or gymnastics, but flexibility is only your friend if you can control it.

 

“So how do we control hypermobility”

So how do we control hypermobility? Well the simple answer is with strength. Resistance training, and particularly weight training, can reap big rewards for someone who keeps dislocating their kneecaps or over stressing their spinal joints. More muscle control to make up for the lack of joint control. It’s a simple idea but very hard to get right every day, week, month…

Some people are so flexible that they fall outside the normal spectrum. Recently I’ve had more patients who have genetic tissue conditions than I saw in the last 10+ years. Some of these people tell me “I’m a freak”. They’re being funny and laughing about it but they know they’re not like other people. Their extreme flexibility causes regular dislocations of joints, pain, damage, inflammation, arthritis, and plenty more. It is usually caused by a genetic mutation… just like the X-Men.

 

“Staying in bed and being upset are valid responses to dealing with a challenging genetic condition”

So everybody has their own baggage, right? We all have these problems and issues that we carry around with us, making life tough. Well I took a little inspiration from these people, that problem is not going away for them but they are wearing a smile and visiting the Physio to see what more they can do. Staying in bed and being upset are valid responses to dealing with a challenging genetic condition but these folk are looking for answers, finding ways around the problems. Their mutations may not be a leap forwards in evolution but their state of mind is, and it shows true strength of character. Of course the same is true for so many people who deal with all kinds of physical, mental, or emotional challenges. Life is not easy but meeting people who have that fighting spirit and strong will inside them certainly helps me dig deep for my own challenges.

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This is my first blog, lets keep it simple. I want to provide clear & accurate advice to people who are sore or injured. It can be really, really tough! We are living in strange times. The world has become a place where myths and lies get pushed as the truth, it’s hard to keep up. Everyone seems to have an agenda or something to sell, spouting whatever it takes to make us believe.

What should we believe and why should we believe it? In my opinion it’s good to be a little sceptical, not closed to new things but wary of bullshit. I am a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, I am guided by scientific research and medical evidence. I have a duty to tell my patients the truth, but I also feel like that’s the bare minimum any healthcare professional should do! So why are there so many myths and lies out there about physical healthcare? Well, one reason is because we are all a little too easy to fool. Sometimes it’s easier to understand a simple explanation instead of a more complicated one, even though the simple one may be a lie. Ever heard of a slipped disc? Of course you have, people say it all the time. Let me clear something up… DISCS DON’T SLIP. They just don’t. Spines are strong & bits do not go jumping in and out of place. Yes you can injure a disc and that will hurt like hell, but it hasn’t slipped anywhere. So why the myth? Well for a long time people have been charging money and providing bullshit explanations and bullshit treatments because it SEEMS like it makes sense. If we mentally buy the idea, we will buy the offered service. I say it’s time for change.

People aren’t stupid and we aren’t all sheep. We can handle the truth. Personally, I am fed up with people being given the wrong explanations, wrong diagnosis, and the wrong advice. There’s a dangerous mix out there of those who don’t know enough to be tinkering with human bodies, and those who know but mislead people so they can part them with more of their cash. I run a clinic and I charge for the services provided, but I refuse to compromise my professionalism. I will not tell you to come in for 30 appointments when you can be better in 3. I trust that people are smart & are ready to hear truthful explanations, given by a qualified expert, in a professional manor.

 

I love helping people. I can change the treatment approach or rehab plan to fit your needs, but im going to keep being honest. –Pendulum Physio