The Missing Puzzle Piece

It is well known that there exists many different health and rehabilitation modalities in the world: acupuncture, bodywork (massage, chiropractic, osteopathy), psychotherapy and etc. to name a few. This article is not about comparing each of the modalities, but to point out a common missing ingredient most healthcare practices lack: HOMEWORK.

The Importance of Homework

Do you see a therapist or a healthcare practitioner? If you do, do they prescribe some form of self-care for you to do on your own? 

Whatever your goal may be, whether the treatment of pain or improved health, the prescription of some sort of homework has a significant factor of your long-term success. (Mausbach et al. 2010, Duncan et al. 2011)

Some examples of homework are: having stretches or exercises to do, reading a suggested book for your education, starting a food diary, keeping a gratitude journal. The common thing about all of these is that there is a component of the patient becoming actively part of their recovery and health program.

Exercise as a Foundation

When you see a therapist, perhaps for 10 minutes, 45 minutes, or even 90 minutes for your back pain, it makes little difference if you are continuing to have bad posture for the remaining 23 hours of the day – that poor gravity line will always win unless those holding patterns change.

Exercise is the foundation of all permanent change to the body for function, health, recovery. Seeing a therapist, chiropractor or osteopath has a role, but if you ever wonder why the results don’t last as long as you hope, then you have just discovered the missing puzzle! Incorporating homework (i.e ELDOA exercises, myofascial stretching, hydrating) has a major influence on making more lasting changes.

The ELDOA Approach

“YOU are your own best therapist.” Guy Voyer, DO (Creator of the ELDOA)

Without diving into the science of the ELDOA, what makes it so effective alone is because of the emphasis on self-care (self-normalization).

The process will look like this:

1. A therapist starts with an evaluation to understand what are the greatest contributors to your problem, and a manual treatment (SomaTherapy, Manual Osteopathy) to address the pain and promote a healthier state of balance.
2. Based on the findings of the therapist, a path of correction can be discussed.
3. Homework should be prescribed to work towards the goal and reinforce the changes stimulated in the treatment session. This can be a combination of exercises/stretches, nutritional changes, lifestyle changes or stress management. (Clinical Note: too many changes at once leads to increased noncompliance, so it is best to start with the bang-for-the-buck changes first!)
4. To better learn the ELDOA Exercises, patients can work with a SomaTrainer or ELDOA Trainer for a period of time before the next treatment to improve the tissue quality and reinforce changes made from a treatment. Better tissue quality improves the treatment process and quality of exercises.
5. Patient should be focusing on their homework (i.e home exercise program), while also including follow-ups with the trainer/therapist. If the patient does not do their homework, self-care exercises, continuing to see a therapist could be very costly and ineffective. Thus, learning ELDOA exercises becomes the most cost-effective treatment, while also empowering patients with the tools necessary to help themselves while they are carrying out their busy lives and traveling.

Is This Approach Right For Me?

If you are serious about your outcome, and motivated enough to take your health into your own hands, but just missing the proper instructions and guidance as to where you should begin and do…

ELDOA has helped many because it respects the complex anatomy of the human body and it is possible for you to learn it to incorporate it in your home program.

As a therapist and trainer, Jaron Hua is able to take you through this comprehensive process; from evaluation and treatment, to learning the necessary exercises. If you are prepared or want to learn more, give Jaron Hua a call or email.

References

• Duncan, S., McPhee, J.C., Schluter, P.J. et al. Efficacy of a compulsory homework programme for increasing physical activity and healthy eating in children: the healthy homework pilot study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 8, 127 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-8-127
• Mausbach, Brent T et al. “The Relationship Between Homework Compliance and Therapy Outcomes: An Updated Meta-Analysis.” Cognitive therapy and research vol. 34,5 (2010): 429-438. doi:10.1007/s10608-010-9297-z