Exercise of the Month

Trigger point referral patterns.

~ bryancobb ~ Leave a comment

Myofascial trigger points form in a muscle due to overload stress. A portion of muscle fibers lock up into a knot. Once formed these points will irritate sensory nerves that are in proximity to the knot. When this happens,

trigger points have the capacity to refer pain along specific distributions or patterns that are well mapped out. sometimes pain may be felt at a great distance away from the actual point itself.

Trigger points

~ bryancobb ~ Leave a comment

Trigger Points in muscle and other soft tissue are one of the most common causes of a wide variety of pain and dysfunction, including (but not limited to):

 

• Achy persistent pain
• Severe local pain
• Arm / leg pain
• Back pain
• Radiating pain
• Weakness
• Stiffness

• Pain resulting from a medical condition, such as
– Migraines
– Sciatica
– TMJ dysfunctions
– Arthritis
– Fibromyalgia
– Carpal tunnel syndrome
– Soft tissue injuries
– And more…

Exercise of the Month – (Resisted Shoulder Retraction)

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

 

Resisted Shoulder Retraction

  • Secure a piece of elastic resistance tubing to a doorframe.
  • Sit or stand with your elbows tucked into your sides bent at 90 degrees, forearms pointing forward.
  • Grasp the resistance band and pull it towards you by focusing on pinching your shoulder blades together.
  • Return to the start position and repeat three sets of 10 repetitions daily or as directed.

*This exercise may also be performed using a cable row machine or by looping a piece of elastic resistance band over your feet while sitting on the floor with your legs directly in front of you.

Help For Those Stuck At A Desk All Day

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

Desk workers should periodically perform the “Brugger relief position” to help maintain good sitting posture.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Position your body at the chair’s edge, feet pointed outward. Weight should be on your legs and your abdomen should be relaxed.
  • Tilt your pelvis forward, lift your sternum, arch your back, drop your arms, and roll out your palms while squeezing your shoulders together.
  • Take a few deep cleansing breaths.

Learn more about proper workstation ergonomics in this video.

Brugger’s Relief Position

Our exercise of the month

~ Dr. Robert Speirs DC ~ Leave a comment

The Semi-Stiff Dead Lift

 

Begin standing with your thumbs on your rib cage and your fingers on the crests of your hip, making sure not to approximate your fingers throughout the exercise.

Stand on one leg with your knee bent only slightly.

Slowly flex forward from the hips moving your chest toward the floor, making certain not to flex your back. Return to an upright position.

Repeat 15 repetitions on each leg once per day or as directed.