Unlock your movement potential with these five fundamental exercises designed to enhance mobility and reduce pain. From the Calcaneal Traction Roll to the Wall Squat with Low Reach, these simple yet effective moves are the building blocks to a more mobile and pain-free life. Each exercise is explained in detail, complete with step-by-step instructions and common mistakes to avoid. Master these basics before moving on to more complex exercises, and experience the difference in your mobility journey.
Read MoreTag: posture
Everything Wrong with Bryan Johnson’s $2M Posture Routine
Bryan Johnson: A Man of Many Talents, but is Posture Advice One of Them? You’ve heard of Brian Johnson, right? The guy who’s been doing some fantastic work in the realm of health and longevity science. Can we say the same about his postural advice? I think NOT! I’ve spent a TON of time dissecting all things posture. What is is, what it is not, and how to “improve” it. And it’s more complicated than you think. In this post, I’m going to critique Brian’s 5 posture tips. Be prepared for a research deep dive. And don’t worry, you’ll also get what you should do instead. Check out the blog, video, and podcast below to learn about it!
Read MoreThis WRECKS Your Sitting Posture
The TRUE Fix for Sitting We’ve all been there – after a long day of sitting in front of a computer, you stand up and feel a twinge in your lower back. Or you’ve been sitting in perfect posture, but your neck and back are still sore. What if I told you that perfect sitting posture isn’t the key? That you MUST focus on something different. The real thing that’s DESTROYING your sitting. What is that key? Read the blog post, watch the video, and listen below to learn.
Read More3 Exercises That Fix 90% of Problems
THIS is why you’re so darn stiff Ever wake up feeling like a stiff robot (not the cool dancing kind)? Or deal with aches and pains impacting life? Know what’s frustrating? If it’s not pain from trauma or serious pathology, rarely do we know what causes pain. What do we do then? If we don’t know, it’s hard to figure out how to improve our movement and comfort. But I got your back (even if it’s not low back pain). I’m about to reveal one culprit responsible for 90% of the pain and movement issues seen out there. You won’t just get the cause either, but the solution.
Read MoreCompensatory Movement Patterns
Know different postures you will see inside and out! It seems like there are a bazillion different types of postural presentations. Is there any way to simplify the confusion? Interestingly enough, things like flat back, extreme kyphosis, and even the common compensatory pattern can be explained through the movement lens we discuss on a weekly basis. All of these postural deviations are compensations atop of compensations How bad do you want to be able to 1) identify these postural strategies and most importantly, 2) know how to best improve these compensations? If it’s bad (I’m talkin’ reaaaaaaal bad), then check out Movement debrief Episode 124.
Read MoreTroubleshooting Table Tests
Learn what range of motion testing really tells you Movement Debrief Episode 123 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the setlist: Are standing postural assessments useful? What are the best assessments to use online? Does it differ if you are a trainer or clinician? How do I make decisions based off of table tests? What does it mean when someone has clear table tests but is limited in standing measures? What’s the difference between a Thomas test and an ober’s test? How does one determine if someone has ligamentous laxity or not?
Read MoreThe Unsexy Side of PT
Struggle with mouth breathing? Much of the stuff taught on my site focuses on maximizing your breathing skills from the neck on down, but what happens when that is not enough? What if you still have issues with neck or jaw symptoms? Or worse yet, struggle with sleep? These are the topics we dive into on The Optimize Your Capacity podcast I did recently. You’ll learn all types of things featured in the netherworld of performance, including: Craniocervical posture and how to test for movement limitations in this region The “ideal” tongue posture to promote nasal breathing What a proper swallow entails to reduce neck strain What the keys are to having a dynamic respiratory strategy that maximizes movement options through the body Is there a “best” posture to sleep in? That depends on your body 🙂 and more! Click the links below to check it out! The Unsexy Side of PT: Zac Cupples (Apple Podcasts) Spotify Stitcher
Read MoreTop 10 Debriefs of 2019
At the end of each year, I like to see what you beautiful…sexy…outstanding people liked. What the fam….recognized (fam). I decided to add a few extra little diddy’s this year. First, we will start off with debriefs. The little podcast/vlog that could. As I try to keep the debrief filled with variety, there didn’t seem to be any common themes; just good topics. Check out your favorite debriefs below, and thank you again for an amazing 2019!
Read MoreCollapsed Arch, Rounded Back Breathing, and Can Posture Be Changed? Movement Debrief Episode 84
Movement Debrief Episode 84 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What can be done about foot arches that collapse? Are orthotics a useful tool for this condition? Are their instances which I’ll cue excessive rounding of the spine during breathing exercises? Can rounding the back drive posterior thorax expansion? What is the importance of posture? Can posture be changed?
Read MoreSitting Posture, Hypermobility, and Fear-Avoidance – Movement Debrief Episode 72
Movement Debrief Episode 72 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: Does sitting slouch = extended? Why do people appear flexed when they sit? What is going on when someone sits slouched? How should I work with someone who has a hypermobility syndrome? What is Ehlers Danlos? Are isometrics a worthy starting place? What about unstable surface training? What is fear-avoidance? How do I go about using education to reduce fear avoidance? What other tactics do I use to mitigate fear avoidance?
Read MorePerfect Posture, Excessive Knee Bend, and SFMA – Movement Debrief Episode 68
Movement Debrief Episode 68 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What is perfect posture? Why do extension-based exercises not improve posture? How does respiration impact default posture? Why would the back knee bend in a yoga pose when it needs to be straight? What is occurring when we see knee bend when the hip is placed into extension? What can we do to rectify this issue? What are my thoughts on the SFMA? Why do I not use the SFMA? What is my current thought process instead? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook . They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version… Here were the links I mentioned: Check out Human Matrix promo video below Below are some testimonials for the class Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: December 8th-9th, Charleston, SC February 2nd-3rd, 2019, New Providence, NJ (early bird ends January 4th) SIGN UP FOR THE REVOLUTION featuring myself, Pat Davidson, and Seth Oberst February 9th-10th in Boston. MA A bunch of stuff on improving posture can be found here. Here is a debrief on occlusion. Below is a picture of the high lunge pose Here is the hip separation debrief. Below is an activity that I use to improve hip separation. Here is the hip
Read MoreCervical Retraction, Neutral Spine, and Lateralization – Movement Debrief Episode 65
Movement Debrief Episode 65 is in the books. Below is a copy of the video for your viewing pleasure, and audio if you can’t stand looking at me. Here is the set list: What is my opinion on cervical retraction to fix forward head posture? Why does someone assume a forward head or military posture? How do these postures impact airway? How ought we address head posture? What is my opinion on neutral spine during lifting? What is lateralization within the human body? Which direction are humans lateralized? What can be done to manage lateralization? If you want to watch these live, add me on Facebook or Instagram. They air every Wednesday at 7pm CST. Enjoy! and the audio version… Here were the links I mentioned: Check out Human Matrix promo video below Below are some testimonials for the class Want to sign up? Click on the following locations below: Kansas City, KS on October 27-28th Portland, OR on November 10-11 December 8th-9th, Charleston, SC (early bird ends November 11th) February 2nd-3rd, 2019, New Providence, NJ (early bird ends January 4th) SIGN UP FOR THE REVOLUTION featuring myself, Pat Davidson, and Seth Oberst February 9th-10th in Boston. MA Kinematics of the human mandible for different head postures. Here is the ribcage pumphandle mechanics debrief Here is the rectus abdominis debrief The lumbar and sacrum movement pattern during the back squat exercise. Bill Hartman Here is some information on the right hand rule of physics
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