Single Leg Balance and Reach Exercise

Great Info from the Gray Institute Newsletter TWEAKOLOGY is the transformation of the notion (what we know about function) into the motion (what function looks like).  Knowing that every “tweak” will create a different reaction, mindfully chosen “tweaks” provide the foundation of the exercise strategies that are specific for each individual. This month we highlight [...]

Jump-Hop-Hop; Load Better to Explode Better

By Doug Gray Jumping is an action that has implications to everything we do. Squatting, walking, running, lunging, etc. has components of jumping involved. Therefore, jumping better will pave the way to functioning better. A common element of plyometrics and calisthenics is jumping. Jump training is a point of focus in sport, yet has extreme [...]

A Great 1 1/2 Minute Whole Body, Multi Directional Exercise

This is a great little exercise routine (inspired by Gary Gray)that involves multiple planes of motion, multi level lifts and doesnt take a lot of time.  So, if someone tells me they dont have time to exercise, I say Bull@#$&!  I have an answer!  The Matrix.  It only takes about a minute and a half! [...]

The Lumbar Spine: Poor Communication Equals Poor Spine

    By Michael Rizk, CPT, ART     Have you ever witnessed a relationship gone sour? The telltale signs are significant, but many   times the root cause stems from poor communication. There is one particular area of the body   that seems to get more press than a short‐lived Hollywood hook‐up. You’ve got it – the lumbar   spine (LS) is likely the most injured, dysfunctional, and (supposedly) weakest link of the body.       In relation to the rest of the body, the LS is active in nearly every functional task performed … it   resides at the crossroads of the body. For that reason, it is important for the rest of the body to   communicate with the low back to let it know how important it is, how much it is needed, and   how much it is appreciated for all it does.       What is meant by communication with the LS? Great question! Communication refers to the   ability of all our joints to feed triplane motion to the LS creating triplane stability. A lack of   triplane  mostability  (mobility  plus  stability)  can  shut  down  the  phone  lines  feeding   proprioceptively rich information to the LS, thus creating undesirable chain reactions.     By design, the LS facilitates flexion and extension, allows lateral flexion, and almost inhibits   transverse plane motion. The small amount of transverse plane motion may in fact be the most   important motion allowing the LS to be the transverse plane transmitter of forces between the   upper and lower extremities.      To simplify motion, we consider two phases: loading and unloading. Loading is the preparation   of the task and unloading is the performance of the task. Using the golf swing as an example,   the backswing is the load and the downswing / follow through is the unload. The moment of   [...]

The Transformation of Strength and Power

By David Westerman LMT, FAFS   Are  we  utilizing  “authentic”  principles  of  Function  when  designing  our  strength  and   power programs?   Is  there  a  special  population  that  might  be  missing  two  of  the  most  important  bio‐  motor abilities in their training and rehabilitation programs?   As  a  former  collegiate  and  professional  strength  and  conditioning  coach,  strength   and power were (and are) the two most emphasized bio‐motor abilities.    Take,  for  example,  the  “power  clean”  in  an  athletic  weight  room.  This  is  [...]

The Hip: Power Source, Biggest Rock, Best Friend

 By Barbara Fuller PT, FAFS The late-seventyish woman looked at me with a bit of skepticism mixed with a little fear. After I introduced myself to her she said, “Before we start, I want you to know that I would like for you to address my low back pain, but I don’t want you to [...]

Balance in Motion

     By Andrea Wasylow PT, FAFS     The  billing  coordinator  at  the  small  hospital‐based  rehabilitation  clinic  where  I  work  is   phenomenal.  In  addition  to  being  one  of  those  people  who  you  just  enjoy  spending  time  with,   she  is  exceptionally  skilled  at  finding  those  small  discrepancies  that  could  potentially  delay,  or   give  reason  for  denial,  of  payment  for  services.  Prior  [...]

Ankle Sprains: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

 Will H. Stewart II, FAFS, CMT Fellow of Applied Functional Science The Scene: 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia USA The Event: Womens Gymnastics The Apparatus: The Vault The Athlete: Kerri Strug This should start ringing a few bells. The US team needed a score of 9.493 to win the gold medal for the US. [...]

The Cervical Spine: Getting the Whole Story

Andrea Wasylow PT, FAFS A few years ago I had the opportunity to play a round of golf with some people I greatly admire. It was a fairly typical golf outing until one of my opponents took his tee shot on the 7th. It was one of the most amazing shots I have ever seen. [...]

The Functional Knee: Caught in the Middle with No Where to Hide

Injuries to the knee are seen throughout virtually all sports and all age ranges. Have you ever wondered why the knee is the most common reason for a visit to an orthopedic surgeon? Moreover, have you ever wondered how rehabilitation and training programs could better alleviate the stresses placed on the knee? The answers lie [...]