Well first let me clarify, that aforementioned wall was actually a car, and I didn’t hit it, it hit me, and hard. In my previous life (my life is now divided into two parts: before the accident, and after the accident), I was a Marketing Manager by day working 50+ hours a week, and a …
From hitting the metaphorical wall to finding purposeRead More
When thrown unexpectedly into injury and recovery, there is a time of trial and error with finding what works and what doesn’t to get you back on your feet again. Often this is a very frustrating time, and it can be difficult to figure out how to move again, and most importantly how to move …
Last year, 10 years after my accident, marked the point in my recovery where I have been out of pain longer than I was in pain. It seems silly, but that was a very big deal for me. In my mind, it felt like I could start over from zero. Not like it never happened, …
Over morning coffee on the patio of our vacation retreat on the Big Island, Hawaii, I noticed some cows grazing in the field of the neighboring ranch. All of a sudden out of the bushes ran a rambunctious calf, hopping, running, zigging and zagging all over the pasture. The older cows continued grazing or snoozing …
Osteoporosis and low bone density are at epidemic proportions. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, this affects 55% of the population over 50 years of age, both women and men. This number is expected to increase to 3 of every 4 people by 2020, that’s 75% of the adult population! According to the U.S. preventative …
Whether you teach exercise classes or participate, every time the word squat comes up it is met with resounding moans and groans. Have you ever heard someone yell out “Yessssss, I love squats!”? Probably not. Squats are a movement we do all day every day. In fact, it is considered the most functional movement in …
As a child, I learned that one must not speak of politics and religion in polite company. The weather was always a safe choice. The past year has been a challenging time both in the US and around the World, and I am finding myself in unfamiliar territory. I realized early on in my career …
Footwear has been used since 1600-1200 BC as a way to protect, support, and even dress up the feet. From a protection perspective, shoes keep the feet warm and dry and create a barrier between rough terrain and the skin. As we age, many people start to wear increasingly more supportive shoes in an attempt …
One of the most common physical complaints people share with us is pain in their back and knees when they are standing and walking. We live in a hilly area so there is also the added challenge on their joints when walking up and downhill. This is one of my favorite areas to help people …
Stack your Boxes: Strategies for standing and walkingRead More
We have all heard the word ‘Backbone’ used to portray an image of strength or support, like when we hear something described as “the backbone of America”. Of course, when we think about the spine, our actual backbone, we also think of strength and support. This prehistoric-looking bony tower is meant to hold us upright, …
Have you ever wondered why we have one toe that is much bigger than the rest? Well, there is very good reason. First, imagine your toes were all the same size. How would you stand or walk differently? We may be able to manage with one less of the smaller toes without having a significantly …
Body Awareness is a popular term especially in yoga and Pilates circles, but what does it mean? Some would argue that being “body aware” is having a keen kinesthetic sense of how your body moves and feels in your environment at any point in time. One medical dictionary definition describes Body Awareness as “the felt …
Exercise obviously involves some amount of exertion, whether we like it or not. In the Sports Medicine field, this level of exertion is measured on the Borg Scale of Perceived Exertion, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is defined as “how hard you feel like your body is working. It is …
Is perception reality? Outwit your sense of exertionRead More
Yesterday, a client came flying into her session brimming with jubilation as she declared “It’s amazing, I didn’t fall!” She regaled me with her tale of potential disaster with a smile from ear to ear. It started with her standing on a slippery slope with a hose in one hand and a glass of wine …
Keep your Feet on the Ground: The key to staying verticalRead More
As we move through life, we rarely think of the hundreds of coordinated movements that our body makes each day, let alone how they feel. When a person is in pain, however, every movement can bring on a number of feelings, both emotional and physical. When pain persists over a long period, the mere thought …
The Fear Factor: The Anticipation of Pain in MovementRead More
Since the exercise craze of the ’80s, we have seen many variations of the “Butt Crunch” exercise. The action of a Butt Crunch is a repeated squeeze of the buttocks while sitting or standing. With the promise of a more lean and toned back-side, many people have fallen prey to this madness. Let’s talk about …
Clench it or Move it? Using your muscles for their intended purposeRead More
