I remember the first time I "threw my back out".
{I hate that terminology by the way. As if I decided that I didn't need it anymore and just tossed it out with the trash.}
Anyway, I had just finished massage school and was doing house calls. I had a really nice massage table that just barely fit into the back of my VW Jetta. I was cramming it in the trunk one afternoon and was over enthusiastic with my efforts. The pain didn't show up until later like it typically does. I moved too quickly and BAM!.... then I really couldn't move. I couldn't stand up straight, I couldn't sit without yelping or crying in pain. It was almost impossible to get my pants on. The doctor gave me some pretty heaving hitting drugs because that is all they really could do.
I laid on my couch sobbing because I thought, "How am I going to work? How am I going to pay my bills? Am I doomed to be in this kind of pain for the rest of my life?!" I was genuinely terrified. And of course the fear and stress made the pain even worse.
And then my inner voice spoke up. Quite loudly, like she is apt to do. Actually, it was more of a bitchslap than anything else. "GET OFF YOUR ASS AND FIGURE THIS SHIT OUT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE!"
So I did. I literally rolled off the couch and on to the floor. I started moving and exploring my pain. I breathed into it. I listened to it. I befriended it. I got my anatomy books out and made the connection between the sensations, the locations, and I figured out how to get the muscles to release.
It was quite a treasure hunt adventure that left me with the best experience and realization I could have ever had.... I totally know what this is, how to fix it, and how to prevent it.
Since this experience almost 18 years ago, I have had it happen twice more. The beauty of this experience, is that I totally knew what was going on, I wasn't afraid, I knew how I did it, and best of all, I knew how to fix it.
I love it now that when a client walks through my door with back pain, pretty much most of the time I can take care of it in just a few sessions. Reduce their pain almost immediately.
I know what they are going through and I know it won't last.