Last week we discussed the Paleo Lifestyle but also indicated proper nutrition is important to help the body move properly. I believe that animal protein is necessary but I also believe that every individual needs to be comfortable with it. Part of any protocol is exercise or controlled movement with purpose. At Chagrin Valley Wellness Center we are proponents of Fundamental Movement Therapy(SM). This type of movement calls for the brain to isolate specific muscles so that the proper Tensegrity may be obtained and that proper tension on the specific joints is maintained. This helps to re-program the brain so that in everyday movement the proper musculature fires that will insure that efficient movement is maintained. The individual moves slowly and controlled so the brain can handoff to the proper muscles to have a supported pattern of movement. This is a critical component to exercise so that injury may be avoided.

A good friend of mine Josh Trentine, owns a company called Overload Fitness (www.overloadfitness.com) . At Overload you generate movement under load and the focus is on specific musculature and move until exhaustion is met. Because of the design of the equipment and the proper positioning of the body, the brain needs to fire the proper muscles and the ability to recruit other fibers is minimized. So they accomplish at Overload what we accomplish on the Pilates equipment that we use here at the Wellness Center. I personally incorporate this method of 'exercise' along with two 1/2 hour sessions of Fundamental Movement Therapy(SM) per week. With the holidays and complications in scheduling I have missed and can tell the difference in both my mental and physical well-being.

Why is this so important? We have talked about movement of the lower extremities, the spine, and how that all comes into play with physiological conditions such as Scoliosis and how improper recruitment of muscle fibers will exaccerbate postural issues. Most individuals "work out" way to much and do not allow the body to recover enough. This leads to fatigue and improper form which ultimately brings them to our office for therapy. If you are going to include an exercise regiment to your eating lifestyle it is important to understand the following information.

The body needs proper nutrition to support the firing of the nerves, ligaments, tendons and muscles. These are the generators of movement, what actually creates the movement is the skeletal system. The bones also need proper nutrition, especially as we age and go through our hormonal changes. Another item most individuals are short on is water. The body excretes on a normal day almost a gallon of water, how much do you drink? I recommend that we all drink a minimum of one gallon per day. Other liquids really do not count towards our quota, and in many cases help deplete our reserves.

The Fascia or connective tissue system of the body needs to stay hydrated, and it does so at the cellular level. That lack of flexibility, burning sensation when we move quickly, or just the inability to turn our head could come from dehydration of the tissue. When exercising everyone wants that proverbial burn, that burn is actually not a good thing but an indicator oftentimes of the lack of fluids in the cells that are being stressed. Remember stress creates a fatigued or weak point and it is at that point that injury results.

We will continue this discussion over the next few blogs and if you have questions or comments please make sure you let us know. You can comment right on this page or email us at appointments@chagrinvalleywellness.com.  

Also if anyone is interested in the video we took of correcting Keri's scoliosis, please contact Kathy at (216)364-0156 or kathy@chagrinvalleywellness.com. The cost is $8.95 plus shipping and handling. Fifty cents of each video sold will be donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. The video is a little over one hour long. Our next video will be on Migraine Headaches and we will let you know when that will be available.

A Reason to HOPE!

Dennis Gibbons LMT

I want to thank each and every one of you that commented and enjoyed last weeks' blog. At the conclusion of the video I talked about continuing on with the skull and how it affects Scoliosis. In my practice we look at the whole body and not just if one shoulder is higher than another, or if one leg is shorter or longer than the other. In proper assessment we must look at the bio-mechanics of the body and how it is not moving properly, the imbalances to the puppet strings of tensegrity, and also how the body is off of its foundation. Forward head posture in today's world is pandemic as far as I am concerned. The second most common complaint is "my shoulders and upper back are killing me!" The first item everyone looks at is shoulder level and its improprieties. The shoulder joint/girdle has somewhere in the neighborhood of 144 means of compensation and alters itself in many different formats. Why? It needs to support the skull which weighs approximately 9 to 12 pounds. I use this analogy with people, if I give you a bowling ball and ask you to hold it in your hands with your arms outstretched, how long do you think you could withstand the pain that would ensue? The same for our shoulders, it is holding up our skull.

Dr. Sutherland, D.O. realized many years ago the importance of the Cranium and how it truly affects many of the physical and pathological issues our bodies face. The importance of good balance can not be overstated. In Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® we look at the skull in many different ways also. I often ask the question, "Did you ever experience head trauma?" The answer at first normally comes back as "NO!" Once we continue our investigation instances always come up where there was some form; dental work, Orthodontia, hard sneezes, coughs, bumping our head on the cupboard, or some friend coming up behind us and giving us a solid pat on the back. It comes in many shapes and forms and as a therapist we need to recognize it. I have even gone back to the birthing process, where you born breech or went through the process of Caesarean birth. The natural birthing process helps shape the skull as it passes through the birth canal.

Over the next couple of weeks we will be demonstrating some of the Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® techniques that I have developed. We will also be showing other alternative forms of therapy that address different areas and problems. How does an Acupuncturist view the skull and its many points? How does Reiki and Reflexology affect the energy levels of the skull? How do we get the spine to stabilize and strengthen the muscles that form the foundation and support the skull?

In Keri's case there is a drastic occlusion issue that contributes to the Scoliosis and every time she bites down or chews or talks there is a disruption to the spine. What causes this? There are many causes but one major issue is how the ligaments hold the structure in place. The distortion also causes major stress points in the face and can create disturbances in the skin and underlying tissue. On February 15th our very own Acupuncturist, Allison Bower will be discussing Facial Rejuvenation at our Wellness Center. Some believe it is only cosmetic, but the underlying benefits out weigh the good aesthetic appearance it leaves you with. It will also help with "holding" the tensegral balancing that Muscle Release Therapy, MRTh® provides. I would highly recommend you come to the discussion to learn more about and ask all those questions you have. If you can't come to the presentation check out our website for more information.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments, you can contact me at
dennislmt@chagrinvalleywellness.com.

Until next time.
Peace.
Dennis Gibbons LMT

This weeks' blog will consist of a hands on video blog. We are continuing our treatment on Keri and her Scoliosis.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments I can be reached at
dennislmt@chagrinvalleywellness.com.

Until next week, there is a Reason to HOPE!
Peace,
Dennis Gibbons LMT