Part 1/3 - The Importance of a Principle-Driven Approach
“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.” ― Harrington Emerson
Applying methods without principles is like blindly throwing darts at a dartboard hoping to hit the mark. Methods should be interchangeable; and it is how we apply these tools, strategies and techniques that really matters.
The process of independent thinking has been a key driver in my development as a clinician and coach. It is important to respect and build upon the work of those before us, but we should also seek to challenge our assumptions and consider alternative perspectives. Through deep reflection, we can discover the building-blocks that matter most in our practice.
A principle is defined as “a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or for a chain of reasoning”. Principles are useful because they allow us to make better decisions. They are ubiquitous and can be applied in various situations, big or small. Principles help us achieve our goals while allowing for reproducibility of our successes and greater understanding of our failures. Becoming clear with our principles will give us clarity on the ‘why’ behind ‘what’ we do as clinicians and coaches.
A coherent set of principles will dictate the methods that we use in each clinical interaction. Principles set the basis for assessment and treatment while giving reason for the interventions that we choose. They govern what we pay attention to, the theories behind our treatments and how we communicate to our clients.
Principles can also organize various tools, strategies and techniques into one unified model. The rise of the “3 letter acronym” (PRI, DNS, FMS, FRC, PNF, LMNOP...) has created a divide among practitioners regarding what approach is “best”. Principles allow us to identify the similarities between these philosophies while recognizing the mutually accommodating systems that underpin them.
Ultimately, principles are useful because they keep us honest and allow logic to drive our decisions. They streamline our assessment and treatment, steering us towards pain-free movement and performance enhancement.
In part two of this three part article series, I will be exploring the philosophical principles that guide my work as a clinician and coach. Post in the comments below for any suggestions on future topics and tune in next week to read more!