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Maintaining Mobility

Swimming at Darwin Waterfront – Rena Walker in the lagoon

Staying active is one of the most important tools for leading a long, healthy life, however, when pain strikes, it becomes challenging to maintain your activity.  Injury and pain often occurs because of a lack of mobility and flexibility.

When I work with my clients I define flexibility as the ability of a muscle to be lengthened and mobility as the ability to move through your full range of motion efficiently and comfortably.

In this context true mobility requires a combination of flexibility, balance, coordination, control and strength.  Muscles and tissues need to lengthen, as well as work together to activate and relax in a coordinated way to allow smooth, controlled movement throughout the full range.  This requires the neuromuscular system (the communication system between the brain and muscles) to be working effectively. Read More…

Dead Butt Syndrome

Get your butt into gear with Kinesiology!

… over the years I have worked with many people suffering with lower back and hip pain, frequently associated with weak gluteal (“butt”) muscles and tight or over-working hip flexors (the muscles that lift your thigh to move your leg forward).

This syndrome has been dubbed “dead butt syndrome” or gluteal amnesia by mainstream medicine and if these issues aren’t addressed, the chances of long-term relief from pain is unlikely.

Dead butt syndrome commonly occurs in people who sit for extended periods. The glutes aren’t designed to bear weight for long periods of time and blood flow is restricted when tissues are compressed in a seated position. The glute muscles then start to shut down or ‘fall asleep’ and lose the ability to work when needed.

These muscles should be incredibly powerful but when they aren’t working properly other smaller, weaker muscles are called on to do the job. This causes strain on those smaller muscles and associated joints.

The constant flexed position of sitting can also cause the muscles at the front of the hip to become tight. The glute muscles are then unable to move through a full range of motion, causing them to become weaker.

You may be surprised to know ‘dead butt syndrome’ is not exclusive to sedentary people. Read More…

Magnesium

magnesiumSo there you are peacefully asleep, happily in the land of dreams, when…. Whammo!!!! You’re viciously woken by extreme pain in your calf and your foot is pointed in a position that would be the envy of a ballerina.  You silently scream and try not to thrash about too much so you don’t wake your partner. You sit up a knead away at your calf and then stand and try limping around to get the calf to release the cramp….

I know many of you will be familiar with the scenario above and will already be taking a magnesium supplement to try to reduce the frequency and severity of muscle cramps. But do you know how magnesium works to alleviate cramping?  And, did you know there are many other benefits of ensuring you have adequate levels of magnesium in your system?

Read More…

Pain relief for backs

Kinesiology is so effective at relieving your back pain because it looks at the causes of your pain. Usually the first step is to give you pain relief. I do this by rebalancing the flow of energy in the involved muscles by using reflex points and gentle muscle manipulation.  Then we look at the causes or triggers of your pain in the first place.  Read More…