Submitted by Heart of Wellness
Michelle Walz MPT can usually see that somebody is in pain before they tell her. There is something about the way they hold themselves, guarded and protected. It becomes evident in the way that they breathe. In fact, her approach to helping patients overcome their pain very often begins with the breath.
Michelle practices a gentle style of physical therapy at Heart of Wellness, an integrative doctor’s office where she is a valuable part of a care team that seeks to treat the whole person. “People who thrive under my care often have tried physical therapy in the past, but the style of treatment felt too aggressive for their condition,” she says, “or they have other conditions – hypermobility, autoimmune diseases, or anxiety – that can exacerbate the pain they are experiencing.”
Where Pain Begins
Michelle invites patients into the physical therapy space, an airy, timber-lined room overlooking a hidden forest. The session begins with the patient explaining their symptoms and history, followed by a physical exam. Many times as she listens to her patients, Michelle is able to identify that their nervous system is on high alert. Then, she begins talking about the physiology of pain and how the patient’s body has been interpreting the pain they experience: “When you’re in pain for extended periods, your nervous system kicks into a highly protective mode, and it can be amplified by so many things – one of those things being stress.”
People tend to avoid activity to minimize their pain, and become guarded in response to the injury. This response affects their movement, breathing and even their thoughts. People cannot always avoid the stress that heightens their pain, but they can avoid the movement, so that is what they do. Unfortunately, many of these protective instincts only make the problem of chronic pain worse.
Disarming a Frazzled Nervous System
By working through the barriers that people have put up to protect themselves, Michelle is able to help them find a new approach.
“Pain is a physical sensation coupled with our response,” says Michelle, “And that’s where mindfulness comes in–becoming an observer and noticing how we respond to pain.” A shift in perspective can change your relationship with an experience. The practices of mindfulness and yoga provide an opportunity to focus on our breath, opening the door to healing and learning to experience pain in a different way. The goal is to get back to movement and activities that patients enjoy.
“When you’ve been in pain for a long time, your body equates movement in that region with pain. Starting small and gentle is a way to invite your brain to realize that movement in that area does not always lead to pain,” says Michelle. Movement is often the goal, but sometimes patients have to start very small. Finding ways to build on small movements can result in better outcomes. Many patients don’t realize that such positive outcomes are possible, as they have grown accustomed to living in pain.
A Personal Perspective on Pain
“My passion comes from my personal experience of living with chronic pain,” says Michelle. “I approach my work not only as a physical therapist, but also as someone who has learned to manage my limitations in a mindful way.”
Michelle believes that everyone can benefit from a few small changes, whether they live with chronic pain or not. “Set aside time to breathe intentionally every day, so that you are not just training your muscles, but you are training your nervous system.”
In addition to breathing, movement can improve your quality of life. “Something is better than nothing, when it comes to movement,” she says. Michelle finds that too often people give up when they can’t match their lives to a perceived idea of perfection. She invites her patients to find small ways to integrate movement into their lives, celebrating what they can do rather than focusing on their limitations.
If you think Michelle’s gentle approach could benefit you, check out the Heart of Wellness online scheduling system or call 360.570.0401. From time-to-time Michelle also hosts free online webinars and public talks in conjunction with the Heart of Wellness Education Series. Check out the Heart of Wellness Website to sign up for an upcoming talk or view past presentations.
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