ACHIEVING STRUCTURAL HEALTH
Over the years I have participated in many exercises for my own back pain. Additionally I have practised martial arts intermittently for the last 15 years it has helped me understand and experience movement and how to create self improvement. Osteopathy is'nt exclusive in having answers for the problem.The question is, what is structural health?, we need to define it otherwise how do we maitain it? Structural health should be the perfect balance between stregnth and flexibility, additionally according to the Osteopathic ideal we expect the tissues to be pliable enough to allow passage of waste, nutrients and other essential materials. In Chinese medicine this freedom is graded along lines of 'energy' assessment of freedom is intricately calculated through pulse points and other methods of palpation and observation.
For each individual its a 'sense', that sense is a personal experience. Above all its a human being having an experience, which is rather much more than just a body, or a collection of cells. In achieving structural health I have worked on increasing my stregnth through various applications of resistance training and flexibility through stretching and my general fluidity through methods such as Intu - Flow, martial art forms and Ashtanga/Hatha Yoga.
Most of our assessments at spinalsolutions include osteopathic/orthopedic medicine. Joint positions are palpated and stregnth/ flexibility tests completed. Also I think it is important to convey a personal experience which has been won through many years of 'sweat', toil and refinement. Expertise is developed through knowlege but also experience - self experience is invaluable.!! Our ideas move beyond cardiovascular fitness to true 'structural health' - how to get it , maintain it and describing/ sharing what it may feel like trying to get there. I am passionate about this subject , and I wear funny shoes(mbts), go around fields and churchyards finding places in the sun to stretch and push my muscles beyond my capabilities but always relative to the structure of my joints, of course to the casual observer I admit to looking a little insane but what I am carrying around with me and what you have too is a virtual 'University' waiting to be unlocked and I'm afraid only experience will do it! Sometimes we are inspired by seeing someone perform some great physical feat however it more usual to be inspired by pain. So if you're in pain , I know its horrible and depressing but see if you can move somewhere with this pain, try and keep it natural but dont feel too down if you have to use prescription drugs to start you off, or you might need surgery but begin see where you can go. Come and speak to us we're on your side!! we have been there too!
We are comitted to getting you treated but actuallly we would rather help you develop your knowledge then you will need treatment less frequently. Treatment is overrated it is only a 'facilitator' self management is the gold standard! All research proves this time and time again.
Body - For - Life is a foundation of our practice, this is a program, which allows for basic building of main muscle groups and cardiovascular fitness over a period sof 12 weeks. The dietary advice normalises metabolism and gives the structural building blocks at a muscular and boney level.
P90X - is an amazing upgrade from the Body For Life it emphasises a lot of stretch and core work but mostly improvement through Body Confusion. It will 'rip, cut and sculpture your body like nothing else - this is extreme home fitness. But hey its about improvment and discovery. Want to do it - have a go - we will support and help you all the way !!!
Intu flow - is a self help practice its a dance!, its freedom! we embrace this as part of our self practice and all our practice based practioners even our receptionists practice it daily. We sell the books and dvds which are available on request along with our self help sheets for structural health. We can all move freely and actively promote Scott Sonnon's Intu Flow, we support his work and keep in contact with his trainers . We hope to be able to provide Workshops in the very near future on Body for Life and Intu Flow.
Isometrics - This is a practice promoted in the 50/60's by Charles Atlas it has developed since that time and there are many different methods and devices available. We use a dynamic form of this in our advice and treatment aprroach . Its not for everyone and can be a little risky if you have high blood pressure. However its a useful practice and comes mainly from my martial arts practice and excursions into bodybuilding since the age of 17
Yoga and Pilates are very popular and each one provides a different approach to the problem and can have greater benefits to health beyond back pain or general stiffness. I have used yoga and pilates for many years and although I dont practice either of these exclusively I certainly integrate principles and exercises into my own personal routine. I can advise you on this during consultation or you can just ring me up for a chat. I have provided links below to the teachers I have worked with and I know to be not just good practitioners but have a genuine concern and involvement with the clients they teach.
- Equilibrium Studios in Sutton Coldfield for Pilates
Contact: 01213234663
email: eqstudio.fsnet.co.uk
- Ashtanga Yoga -
Jim Critchlow - Senior Teacher 01216380105
Tracy West - www.ashtangayogabirmingham.co.uk/tracy
None of the above are costly in fact we try and source as many free resources as we can, we have expertly integrated these into treatment through collaboration and personal experience. These are hard times and fitness and health at a sophisticated level should still be achievable, they should'nt cost the earth either, how much are you paying?? what are you getting??? and where are you going????