I know what you may be thinking: the answer is obvious.

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Pain hurts. We don't like things that hurt. While you may be correct in that assumption, as a chronic pain specialist, it's not the most common reason that people walk into my office. In actuality, the typical story goes like this:

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Dr.: Why are you here?

Patient: To get out of pain.

Dr.: Why is that important to you?

Patient: It prevents me from working out!

Dr.: Why is working out important to you?

Patient: I want to stay in shape!

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It's at this point that the patient gets annoyed. They aren't used to healthcare providers probing. They aren't used to someone asking questions they may not enjoy talking about.

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Dr.: Why is staying in shape important to you?

Patient: It just is!

Dr.: What do you fear the most about not staying in shape?

Patient: I guess I want to make sure that I can play with my grandchildren.

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As a clinician, this is the Big Bang. The Grand Reveal. The Revelation. It's the moment where the doctor/patient relationship begins. Because as partners, which you and I are in any care plan, we've gotten to the bottom of your true motivation. You're not in my office to get rid of pain that hurts. You're in my office to play with your future grandchildren.

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As your doctor, as someone that shares in the responsibility of enabling you to play with your grandchildren, it becomes a big deal. The stakes are higher.

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As a patient, as someone that shares in the responsibility of enabling yourself to play with your grandchildren, it becomes a big deal. The stakes are higher.

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It may not be playing with your grandchildren. You may want to stay in shape so that you hold your wife/husband/partner's eyes when you take your shirt off. You may want to get healthy so you can keep providing for your family. You may want to get healthy so that you don't turn into your mother/father. You may want to get healthy so you can sleep better so you can finally shake that brain fog in the morning.

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Everything is on the table. Your back, leg, neck, or shoulder pain isn't just an "ouchie." It's a direct impedance on an important goal. You're going to work harder for it. I'm going to work harder for it. The harder we are both working for it, the better your results will be. You won't miss appointments or blow off the rehab movements you're prescribed. I'll make sure that I drink two cups of coffee instead of one.

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The point of getting out of pain is not to avoid discomfort. Heck, instinctively, as human beings, we actually understand the value of discomfort. The point of getting out of pain is to return to you a lost onus of FREEDOM.

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I understand that. That's why I ask annoying questions during your history. If you can understand that. If we can be on the same page, you will get better faster. It will also create a sense of urgency. In enables us both to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get results.

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If you're one of those individuals that's a lurker, understand that your pain, your adhesion, your degeneration aren't just boo-boos, but prisons. Prisons robbing you of freedom. Get in, get fixed, and get back to doing what you need to do or love to do.