On Empathy and Expertise

Yesterday, while browsing Instagram in a cynical mood, I found myself thinking:

Do we really need ANOTHER post on back mobility for office workers? Or on the benefits of strength training for runners? Or on how foam rolling doesn't break up scar tissue?

Do we really need ANOTHER post saying hurt doesn't equal harm? That it's okay for your knees to go over your toes? That lifting weights won't make women bulky?

After reflecting a bit, I think the answer is yes.

A quirk of our psychology explains why:

Once we've learned something, it's strangely hard to remember what it was like not to know it.

And we not only can't conceive of our own life before knowing it, but we also assume everyone else is magically on the same page.

This is the curse of knowledge.

It afflicts people in all domains, and the rehab/fitness space is no exception.

The fact is: most people still believe the archaic myths that we physios see flogged to death in our echo-chambers on a daily basis.

Most runners don't strength train. Most women don’t lift weights in fear they'll bulk up. I frequently meet clients who thinks knees-over-toes training is dangerous.

So when you (speaking to myself) see another post using a timeworn pain science metaphor to say that hurt doesn't equal harm - and are triggered by how boring it is - remember, MOST people have never heard that message.

When you see yet another post demoing cat-cows for office workers, have empathy for the office worker seeing it for the first time, who's never done a cat-cow.

For that matter, when you tell a new client you're going to "do a dead bug," have empathy for the fact their mind likely envisions a deceased insect, not a core exercise.

The best clinicians and coaches all have one thing in common. They cultivate a beginner's mind, and meet their patients where they’re at.

So to any PT student or new grad creating content, don't chase your tail trying to be profound and original. Your spin on what feels like old news to you might be a life-changing insight to someone seeing it with fresh eyes.