The Hook Into The Feel

One of my latest blog posts on "The Feel" generated quite a bit of interest. This is flattering, but not surprising, as I truly feel that teaching the Feel of soft tissue restriction is a lost art, one that is not covered in most schools or continuing education. But the connection that you make with your patient's pain or dysfunction is key to making changes. What you do with that connection varies widely, depending on your choice of modality.

Since writing that post I've thought a lot about what connecting to the Feel means to me. It really is about the hook in therapy; how to move someone from a person with passing interest in your work to one who is deeply invested in the process. I see this every day in my treatment room. The hook is not about tricking someone into coming for treatment, it is about allowing them to know that you are able to feel what they are experiencing. The connection may not be anywhere near where the pain is felt by them, but you are able to connect with it. If you, as the therapist can identify an area in your patient's body that seems to correspond with their pain and get confirmation from them, you have completed a feedback loop of validation, one that informs them that you truly know what you are doing. Once you've identified the tissue that is responsible, treatment via myofascial release follows easily.

Have you given any thought to your hook? Can you find and touch your patient's pain, even if you are not touching where they feel the pain? If not, find the hook.

For Now,

Walt Fritz, PT