Biomechanics or Pain Science? A Lesson from Zen

Two monks were arguing about a flag flapping in the wind.

One said. “the flag is moving”, while the other monk argued, “the wind is moving”.

A wise old monk happened to be passing by. He told them: “Neither the flag nor the wind is moving, it is MIND that moves.”

This Zen story has many interpretations, but it illustrates the current argument in Manual Therapy: biomechanics vs. pain science.

Zen koans often mock persons that claim they are right and fully understand the world or any topic. Such as the argument in manual therapy, the first group is maintaining the importance of the observable flag movement (biomechanics), but yet misses the weather. While the second group favors explaining the cause of action, knowledge inferred from neuroscience, but forgets that if there is no flag there is no experience. But each group’s staunchness to their correct view often blinds them from seeing each other’s insight. The wise monk recognizes their argument is just perceptual, both fail to see the larger picture.

In an article by researchers from Italy, they attempt to remind us that hands-on techniques are a specific form of touch that characterize the competence of the therapists, express a humanization of treatment and create a safe therapeutic space.

Of course, the article and interpretations cannot resolve the argument, like a zen koan which is not meant to find a simple solution. The wise monk does not claim that he is right. To be philosophical, it is the effort of striving and balancing between the two views that will create a resolution and reach an understanding of the understanding itself.

As Zen master Wumen Huikai or Mumon  wrote:

Wind, flag, mind moves,

The same understanding.

When the mouth opens

All are wrong.