August 1, 2017
Nothing like a week in the woods with your church community and family to remind one that we are designed to be in and for relationships. Doing life together for a week…deepened old and started new connections. Our family capped our week away with 24-hours in San Francisco, including a bucket list trip to see […]
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November 14, 2016
This is a question I get a lot. So I thought I would share an inquiry that grew from a water cooler conversation at a Pilates studio. Should we use a sustained light brace or as the inquirer here calls it ‘switched on’ core components at a low level throughout exercise? How does that jive with the […]
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February 10, 2014
Recently my old friend Dr. Erson Religioso interviewed me for his popular blog targeted at an audience of manual therapy pros. I wanted to share an excerpt that reflects a few related questions that I get A LOT! Specifically where does manual therapy fit into my approach to patient care and how does the Diaphragm/Pelvic Floor […]
read postDecember 13, 2012
More great webinar questions today. This question is from a fitness pro who is also undergoing treatment herself for pelvic health issues. Q: (In the webinar) you reference a study saying the pelvic floor more strongly activates when sitting upright and with a natural lordotic curve, which makes sense. But apparently I am too lordotic […]
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January 5, 2012
Kegels have been getting the run around lately, with folks in both camps-the Kegel-ers and No Kegel-ers staunchly pulling for their views. I am in a different camp….the “let’s-see-the-Kegel-for-what-it-is-(an early rehab tool, if done correctly)-and-then-let’s-take-the-next-step” camp. Kumbaya! In short, a Kegel strengthens the pelvic floor by performing an isolated, isometric hold of the pelvic floor. […]
read postOctober 17, 2011
The rehab and fitness communities are in the midst of a little family fight over the work of two of our field’s visionaries; Paul Hodges, the grandfather of TA isolation and Stuart McGill, the um…step-dad of bracing. Despite our lack of conclusions or resolution internally, our private fight has leaked to the public in […]
read postOctober 13, 2010
Our current definition of the Core is well…ill-defined. I know I have beaten this drum before, but in magazine articles, blogs, internet resources, even research articles, different muscles are included in the “Core” depending on who you read. I even hesitate to use the word because it means something different to each rehab practitioner, and fitness professional (or client) I talk with. Each of us thinks we are doing “Core” work with our patients and clients, but how can we be sure if our starting definitions are so vastly different.
read postJuly 31, 2010
My Father-in-law’s favorite joke is to lift his arm only to shoulder level and say “Hey doc! I can only lift my arm this high.” Then as he raises his arm to straight overhead, he says “But I used to be able to lift it this high.” After ruling out the need for a […]
read postMay 24, 2010
Hello. My name is Julie, and I’ve got a problem. I’m addicted to the Core.
But not the watered down Core as defined by so many health magazines, TV informercials and fitness blogs. You know, the Core that has anywhere between 12 and 29 muscles that you’re supposed to “engage” simultaneously with exercise or a Core Blaster for only 3 payments of $29.99. And I am not addicted to the Core that is focused only on abdominals. Has that flattened your tummy, yet?
read postFebruary 5, 2010
These days, books, DVD’s, gyms and the web all promote Core strengthening programs.”Engage your Core” is a common instruction given with the demonstration of an exercise. But how do you know if your Core is actually engaging? Take our quiz and find out. 1. Does your belly pooch out while you are doing crunches? If […]
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