The plain truth about rehab if you dare to read it: It’s really hard! (For you, your therapist, and everyone who cares about you.) Hurt does not always mean harm. You will need to make actual changes. These changes may involve modifying your activities and/or taking steps to improve your general health. Your beliefs will be challenged. This process can be uncomfortable but you will learn a lot. You will make mistakes. Its totally normal, but learn from them. Your health provider is not perfect. We’re human. Your progress will not be linear. There will be ups & downs in the process. Failures will happen. You will get frustrated. You will have doubts. Trust the process, yourself & your therapist. There is no magical quick fix. Passive approaches to rehab are not the solution. Gimmicky products are not the solution. Be wary of anyone who promises instant results and cure-alls for everything & everyone. You need to be empowered to control your own journey. Structural changes on scans often won’t totally explain your pain. (Nor do you need to change them to change pain). Multi-disciplinary care approaches will almost always trump singular care approaches. Pain may not be the first thing to change. Rehab isn’t just about improving pain – it’s about improving quality of life and well-being. Your pain is always multifactorial. No, you’re not making anything up. Nobody has all the answers, but find professionals with more scientifically backed ones. It’s all about the small victories: treasure them. You’ll need to ask a lot of questions. You’ll need to write stuff down. You’ll need to set goals and prioritize what’s really important to you. You probably won’t improve all on your own. There’s never any guarantees, but there is always hope. Remember, change is always possible. In the end, it’ll be worth it.
