Imaging (MRI, X-ray) only shows the state of our physical structures (bones, tendons, discs), but does not measure our discomfort or sensitivity. Perfectly healthy tissue can be sensitive, just as worn tissue may cause no discomfort, because the nervous system can continue to send protective signals even after an area has recovered.

noli's read

The distinction made by the creator between the state of our tissues visible on imaging and the sensation of physical discomfort is solid and validated by science. A major meta-analysis conducted by Brinjikji et al. (2015) revealed that signs of spinal wear are present in a vast majority of healthy people without any discomfort, reaching up to 96% of 80-year-olds. Conversely, other observational studies confirm that persistent sensitivities can exist without any structural anomaly being detected on the scan. To explain this, research highlights the concept of sensitization, a phenomenon of nervous system adaptation that continues to emit protective signals even though the physical area has already recovered, as detailed in a consensus review by Nijs et al. (2021). The analogy of an alarm system that remains active after an alert is a very faithful image for describing this bodily sensitivity without using jargon. This message therefore aligns perfectly with the modern and global approach to movement and well-being.

the sources

1. 1Brinjikji W, Luetmer PH, Comstock B, et al. 2015
2. 2Hartvigsen J, Hancock MJ, Kongsted A, et al. 2018
3. 3Foster NE, Anema JR, Cherkin D, et al. 2018