Gravity Fx Fitness

Here is a nice video on Active Isolated Stretching for the hip flexors on the front of the hip and thigh.  This area can frequently become overly tight from spending too much time sitting.

If this area is too tight it can limit the ability of the glutes to extend the hip backwards.  Since strong glutes are important to help provide stability for the low back and increase sports performance, this stretch is a smart way to reduce injury risk.

Actively push your heel backwards and then gently pull on the rope to increase the stretch on your hip, holding the end position no more than a second or two. Do 10 reps, trying to go slightly further with each rep.  The movements should be smooth and rhythmical, not forced.  This should not create pain – if so, check with your doctor.

AIS is a great way to regain flexibility or to help recover from vigorous exercise.  Ideally, you would use some form of self-massage like foam rolling or the Stick prior to stretching.  This video was borrowed from Dr. Perry Nickleston, DC.

Get moving!

Brian Morgan

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Here is a nice video on Active Isolated Stretching for the hip from Dr. Perry Nickleston.  It can help relieve pain or possibly prevent hip injuries.

AIS is also a great way to enhance your recovery from exercise.

Get moving!

Brian Morgan

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Deep tissue laser therapy might be a new way to relieve pain without drugs or surgery. I recently came across an interesting interview with Dr. Perry Nickelston, a chiropractor who is using a class IV laser for fast, effective pain relief.

I’ve worked in both chiropractic and physical therapy clinics and have seen a variety of treatment options for those in pain.  Personally, I think that those who combine some of the best of both these worlds will often see better results – results that last longer.

One of the things that Dr. Nickleston is doing is using deep tissue laser therapy with his patients.  The lasers are used to reduce pain and inflammation, while increasing circulation to the tissues, helping speed up the healing process.

The first chiropractor I was working for used “cold” laser treatment in his clinic about a dozen years ago.  Laser treatment seems to be popular in chiropractic clinics these days but some are designed differently than others.

This particular laser is more powerful and supposed to get faster results than some models.  The doctor says that his patients can notice a difference within 3 or 4 sessions.  Another interesting thing about his approach is that he doesn’t just treat the site of pain but examines the body as a whole to find problem areas that might be the source of the pain.

This approach includes doing different types of manual therapy, deep tissue massage and Active Isolated Stretching (AIS).  He teaches his patients how to do self massage and this unique type of stretching to maintain the results and prevent future problems.

So he is addressing the body as a whole and not just where it hurts.  He also includes this proactive approach and encourages patients to exercise in his fitness center that incorporates TRX suspension training as part of rehab.  The TRX activates your core in all exercises and helps integrate your body movements, making them more efficient.

He spends up to 30 minutes with a patient for a limited number of sessions and gets them involved in their own health with an exercise and stretching program.  I think this approach will gain strength in the coming years – fix the problem and maintain the results with exercise.

To find out more about this unique wellness program go to Pain Laser Center.

Get moving!

Brian Morgan

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