The DL - Episode 14 - Pain Talks is now available on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud and YouTube. 

In the latest episode of The DL, Diesel Laptops Founder and CEO, Tyler Robertson, is joined by Liz Navarrete, MS, PT, owner of Pain Talks. This week’s topics include lessons in entrepreneurship, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and the importance of proper posture. 

Liz Navarrete has been a Physical Therapist since 2006. Two years ago she started her own business, Pain Talks. Pain Talks provides on-site Physical Therapy services, injury prevention, ergonomics consulting, and industrial rehab. 

Networking is vital to being successful

As a business owner, one thing Liz quickly learned is that it takes a lot of work to make your business successful, including many hours of networking with very little initial return on investment.

“It takes a lot of work… I can network with a hundred people and maybe only one of them can actually help me with my business. So I think you have to persevere through the first couple of years and hope that it will grow.” - Liz Naverrete

You must be a salesperson

Another valuable lesson is that any entrepreneur must become a salesperson at some point to get their business out there. 

“I think a lot of entrepreneurs that come out with a new product or new idea or want to do something at the end of the day, what you really become is a salesperson. You’ve got to get out and sell yourself to these people and that’s a tough skill set.” - Tyler Robertson

Zero in on your ideal client

Finding the right target demographic is key to growing your business. Though Liz has persued hospitals, tech and construction companies, she has had the greatest luck with the manufacturing industry. The manufacturing industry has safety initiatives and safety budgets, which make the industry ideal for growing her business. 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Pinched Nerves?

Many clients, like Tyler, believe they have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, however, Liz often finds they are actually suffering from pinched nerves in the neck. The pinched nerve can cause Carpal Tunnel like symptoms to run down both arms. This is called cervical radiculopathy. If you are feeling these symptoms, it is a good idea to get them checked. 

Improper Sitting is the enemy

According to Liz, improper sitting and poor posture, with your neck flexed downward, causes the spine to curve downward. This, in turn, causes the discs to bulge backward. The bulging discs can then pinch nerves, causing pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling down the arms/hands. 

Proper Posture is the key

Most people, unfortunately, sit slouched forward with their hips forward and shoulders back or slouched back with the hips forward and shoulders back. The proper way to sit is to align your ear, shoulders, and hips. This is achieved when your lower back is arched in. 

Improve your posture

To improve posture, Liz recommends the following:

• Use a lumbar support pillow to help. This can help align you properly. 
• Practice posture correction exercises to help train your body
• Invest in a really good chair.
• Get up and walk around or stand at least once per hour. 
• Do 10 to 15 backbends every two hours during your workday. 

Contact Liz

To get in touch with Liz, please visit the contact page on her website:

https://paintalks.org/contact/

Or email her at [email protected] 

You can also learn more about Pain Talks at https://paintalks.org/