Core Stabilization vs Strength

  There is a lot of articles out there on how to build core strength to prevent back pain.  For me the vast majority needs to be working on core stabilization vs just strength.  I have seen a ton of guys at the gym that do massive amounts of situps and crunches but still complain about back pain. The problem is 3-fold. The core is made up of a lot more than just the 6-pack (rectus abdominus).  There is the obliques and transverse ab muscles, the low back extenders (QL and paraspinals) and the gluteal muscles.  They are addressing only 1. They are working the muscle primarily for strength when… Read More

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The Hip Hinge: 1 of the most important exercises you aren’t doing

Whether you are an athlete or just someone with back pain, the hip hinge is an exercise you should be doing. We have all heard the phrase “Lift with your legs and not with your back.”, this is easier said that done.  Most people make the hinge point in the low back and not the hips.  This puts too much stress on the low back and can lead to injury.  As children we knew the pattern but for various reasons we lost it.  My personal opinion is it is because we sit too much.  Sitting deactivates the core and by sitting and having pressure on the glutes that deactivates them… Read More

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Foam Rollers: How can they help me?

Foam-rolling has been around for awhile but has gained popularity.  We recommend foam-rolling for a lot of our patients.  It is a great way to work out tightness in the muscles and fascia (connective tissue around the muscles. Foam Rollers: What Are They and How Can They Help Me? As foam rollers are becoming more popular among athletes, in gyms and in rehabilitation centers, many people are asking what are these things and how do I use it? A foam roller is a hard foam log which is usually 6 inches in diameter.  You can get different lengths of foam rollers depending on your needs.  They are used for working… Read More

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3D Spine: Spinal Restrictions and the problems they can cause

Spinal Subluxations/Joint Restrictions/Joint Dysfunctions can effect the nerves (neurons for the medical community) that directly come out of the spine. An irritation to those nerves by way of inflammation or by lack of movement signals going in can cause those nerves to fire differently. Those nerves fire to tell the body to do virtually everything; from telling your finger to move to telling your stomach to make more enzymes to increasing your heart rate. Often times people will just fill a ‘pinched nerve’ feeling, but there are times even though they can not notice it that that irritation to the nerve is effecting your body’s other systems. View our post… Read More

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7 Biggest Food Label Lies from “Eat this, Not That” – Men’s Health

7 Biggest Food Label Lies from “Eat this, Not That” – Men’s Health I saw this and wanted to re post it.  Below is a portion of the article.  For the full article visit Men’s Health. 7. FOOD LABEL LIE #7: Sunny D: The Crime:  The day-glo liquid presents itself as a delicious, nutritious alternative to orange juice, but in truth, it’s little more than sweetened water. The Evidence: Look at the label. The vast majority of this bottle consists of water and corn syrup, with less than two percent coming from concentrated juice swirled with artificial colors, sweeteners, canola oil, and sodium hexametaphosphate (don’t ask). The beverage company bases… Read More

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