How Does Change Occur?
By Kevin Murray

Is there a specific formula or process that brings about change faster than others? How is it for some, change is immediate and permanent? While for others change is illusive and lasts mere moments?

Questions change our thinking process, therefore the answers we ascertain are in direct result to the quality of the question.

Mastering the art of asking purposeful and powerful questions is an essential ingredient that’s necessary for accelerated change and client breakthroughs’. ALL change begins with the client questioning his or her own thoughts, feelings and beliefs regarding pain, and/or the story behind it.

The following are the ‘4 Core Questions’ created for each pain-free movement specialist to ask their clients’ experiencing chronic pain. Once answered, the clients’ psychological & sociological needs are reviled, yielding invaluable information:

1) “What specifically have you missed out on because of chronic pain?”
The answer to this question provides the pain-free movement specialist with a precise blueprint to the psychological downside that chronic pain has manifested specific to the individual, while synergistically allowing the practitioner to align with the desired outcomes of the client.

In addition, while evaluating this question, each client methodically strips away superficial layers and discovers his or her hidden aspirations to what’s really significant and worth pursuing, while simultaneously moving away from undesirable realities.

2) “How will you know when the corrective intervention has been a success?”
Here’s the truth, what matters to the client is not the overly-pronated sub-talar joint or valgus knee the practitioner may observe. Those phrases mean nothing to the individual in pain.

What really matters to the chronic pain sufferer needs to be uncovered and articulated, which this question is designed to achieve.

Interestingly, it’s often surprising the lack of clarity many clients exhibit when asked to define the specifics to what a successful intervention entails.

Therefore, this question requires each client to focus precisely on defining their “rules to success”. The pain-free movement specialist greatly enhances the probability of successfully navigating ‘unpredictable waters’ once the rules are clear and coherent.

3) “If chronic pain was no longer the reality, what would you do differently?”
This question subconsciously grants permission for each individual to begin crafting the mental framework of what a life that’s no longer interrupted by pain will look like, while simultaneously shifting their conscious intentions back towards the emotional states that are most meaningful in his or her life.

Painting a clear picture of the emotional and physical ambitions significant to the chronic pain sufferer is a critical ingredient in creating pain-free transformations. It’s during this process where uncertainty & apprehension shifts towards inspiration & possibility.

4) “What would a life without pain mean to you?”
We cannot force our beliefs or emotional values on clients.

This question provides a vital spark that begins the mapping process to each client’s exploration for meaning, which is essentially the catalyst to providing an environment that’s truly unique to the individual’s wants, desires, aspirations and goals.

The art of a successful intervention involves uncovering (through curious inquiry) which values and ethical conduct each client abides by, the belief system that guides them, and ultimately what’s most meaningful and worthwhile pursuing.

Question: Can you recall a time when a particular question had a positive impact on your personal or professional life? Do you have a powerful question that you ask each client? Please leave a comment below.

Written by:
Kevin Murray
Movement Masterminds – CEO
Function First – Director of Education