A Fresh Start.

One years worth of blogging is now under my belt. My friends and I started out on an intellectual challenge to write something and get it published within the next 7 years. And so I began writing on the topic of pacifism; I persisted on that topic for exactly one year. Really, I lasted longer than I thought I would. Writing for a year on one topic is impressive for me. I suppose it is a tribute to the level of my interest in the topic. Unfortunately I am unable to finish my thoughts on the topic largely due to beginning graduate school for an altogether unrelated field--physical therapy.

Now I begin again on this new topic. My overall topical focus will be on treating pain in and from the spine. Additionally, though, my writing will include topics that range beyond the boundary of the spine. I will pursue answers to questions like these:

-How does the mind influence spinal pain?
-How is pain generate from the spinal structures?
-Why does back pain persist?
-What function do various muscles play in supporting the spine?
-What are the neurophysiological benefits of touch, joint manipulation and exercise?
-What are the mechanical benefits of touch, joint manipulation and exercise?

I hope to learn some very specific data about spinal pain and effective treatment options. But more than this I hope to build a foundation from which I can launch some ever more exciting questions such as:

-What is pain?
-What is perception?
-Is a basic level of consciousness prerequisite to perception?
-How is the body controlled by the mind?

If I can spend the next 20 years asking these questions I would be happy. In fact after that I would not be content to stop. After 20 years of asking scientific questions I would love to then draw on my experience to begin asking philosophical questions:

-How is human knowledge produced in the scientific community?
-What are the limits and constraints on human knowledge?
-Does theory ever perfectly match reality and if so how would we know?
-To what extent is correct knowledge a prerequisite for helpful application?
-To what degree can incorrect knowledge lead to beneficial treatment?