CONNECT: June 5, 2015 - The Most Powerful Hinge I Can Think Of

Most of us take the lowly elbow for granted.  It's not as complex as the shoulder, not as cranky as the back and not nearly as intricate as the hand or foot.  In fact, it's really a pretty boring joint....until it doesn't MOVE like it should....then you really really appreciate this "simple hinge".  Want to eat something? It's tough to FUEL the body without bringing your hand to your mouth.  Want to read a book or send a text? Very difficult without the elbow.  Need to re-position the pillow so you can be comfortable while you RECOVER? Try it without bending or straightening your arm.  The list is long.  So, as I continue to explore some of the common aches and pains we see, here's a bit of a different take on one of the most underrated joints in the body.

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Over the last few days and as part of my new duties in the American Physical Therapy Association of NJ, I attended a conference in Washington DC with some of my colleagues from around the country to discuss health issues that face our clients and profession. We dove in and debated fiercely how we can best help our clients ENDURE the health risks they face and ultimately take back health....and although this was my first time attending this type of meeting (and so I was a bit skeptical we would actually accomplish anything with this many differing points of view), it didn't take long to realize we could...and in this case "many elbows would lighten the load".

It dawned on me that supporting and affirming each other's ideas, CONNECTs us with people on a deeper level and ultimately builds us up -- something known to positively influence health. As these simple acts improve our ability to work with others and create a positive atmosphere we are rewarded with a relaxation-response, the opposite of being "stressed" something we all can benefit from. Although I suppose we don't officially need functioning elbows to clap (makes me think of seals), it's a lot easier to provide this positive feedback with them.

Every time we outstretch an arm to introduce ourselves or formalize a commitment by "shaking hands", we CONNECT with the other person and let them know we care. Much like the elbow, this too is an incredibly underrated health action. We are social creatures, hard wired to feel strength and safe in a community.  When we "shake on it" we tell the other individual we are "with them", that we consider them, at some level, part of our community which has a major impact on our health.....and it's just not the same without the lowly elbow. 

And....after a series of exhausting "dawn to dusk" days....I can't wait to get home, put my things down and re-CONNECT with my family. Although I suppose we could figure out a work-around (some cultures touch noses), I can't imagine not getting a bear hug from my kids....like a handshake with a turbo boost....a pretty big role for elbows in there.

Not unlike any meeting or work group that has a big goal or challenge it faces, we certainly did not solve all of the problems related to health. We definitely didn't agree on everything and not everyone walked away satisfied with the outcome; but regardless of the meeting, setting or community, when you've got a great end-goal, people who care and many pairs of functioning elbows, anyone can play a role in improving the health of our community....we can CONNECT.

Sometimes it's the little things....

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.