Terminology Empowers

As an RMT who has been practicing for a few years, I’ve come across many people who are not able to describe how they arrived at the state that they’re in. For example, I had a client who didn’t list any accidents or major surgeries in their health forms, but arrived in my office with headaches that started about 15 years prior. As an RMT, it is my job to try and figure out what the root cause of the headaches are, and try my best to alleviate the symptoms. In order to do this, I do a thorough interview and test mobility and strength.

During the interview, the client happened to remember that there was an accident around the same time as when the headaches started. What was the accident? My client was T-boned by a car at an intersection. They were neck braced, on a spinal board, and taken to hospital. Of course, an accident like that will have long lasting effects, if not taken care of properly.

Why didn’t my client see this accident as the cause of their headaches the following 15 years? I think it has to do with words. More specifically, words that my client didn’t know applied to them.

Whiplash, trigger points, compensation, protagonist/antagonist muscles, muscle guarding, altered movement, heightened pain perception: these are all words I would use to describe her situation. But, these are not words she was familiar with.

I worked with this client for a whole summer, 2x a week, for a month and then 1x/ week for the last month. By the end of our time, this client was able to keep the headaches at bay with stretching and exercise, rarely relying on pain medication.

In the context of our bodies, understanding the terminology related to health and anatomy can empower us to take charge of our health and protect ourselves from abuse. When we are familiar with the language used by medical professionals, we can better understand the information they provide us and make informed decisions about our health.

For example, if a doctor tells us that we have a specific condition, we can use our knowledge of medical terminology to research the condition and learn more about the symptoms, treatments, and potential outcomes. This can help us make decisions about our treatment plan and communicate effectively with our healthcare providers.

Additionally, knowing the correct terminology related to our bodies can protect us from abuse, particularly in situations where we may be vulnerable or in a position of power imbalance. For example, if someone is experiencing sexual harassment or assault, knowing the proper names for body parts can help them communicate more effectively with law enforcement and healthcare providers, which may increase the likelihood of receiving appropriate care and justice.

In short, understanding terminology related to our bodies is crucial for taking control of our health and protecting ourselves from harm. It empowers us to make informed decisions and communicate effectively with others, including healthcare providers and law enforcement officials.