3-2-1: Mapping Pain and Making Neuro Manageable

I. A problem map is more than paperwork
When patients see their pain classified (spine, neuro, pelvic, tissue), it transforms guesswork into a ranked list of probabilities—and makes your reasoning visible.

II. Nerve irritation is not always chronic or intractable
A 19-year-old wrestler with acute testicular pain improved when treatment shifted from repeated extension to abdominal relaxation and breathing drills. Sometimes “neuro horsemen” present with surprisingly simple entry points.

III. Less can be more with apprehensive patients
When internal treatment provokes lingering pain, start externally. Use tactile cues, positional “pelvic floor Kamasutra” strategies, or even a balloon for graded exposure before hands-on work. Autonomy builds faster than force.

____________________________________________

I. Physician William Osler on learning from the case in front of you:
“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

II. Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard on pacing progress:
“Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.”

____________________________________________

When a patient plateaus, do you add more pressure, change direction, or pause? Which option do you tend to reach for first and why?

With care,

Team IPC