Thursday, April 24, 2008

And We're off!



Headed to Costa Rica today after class in Sedona.......it's been a long few weeks, teaching, clients, family, photo shoots, this and that.

We get into San Jose at 5:30am on Friday, enough time to sleep a bit before getting back to work. While at these workshops, it is definitely not all about rest for me. I sort of end up running around a lot. Making sure this cord is plugged into that hole, copies are made and delivered, students are happy, temperature is good, Erik, Kim and Paul have enough liquid, coffee, etc. Then the Power Points and anatomy images are good to go, how is the sound? We review the class outline about five times, make changes, prep and teach.

It really is quite nice. I continue to learn each time I go to work. I see and hear the concepts again and again. We scan the room, and check each student's finger, arm and hand positioning, making sure the receiving participant is feeling good with the applied technique. With a variety of learning styles represented in the room, we often need to re-teach the technique per individual. It is a great chance for me to encounter people on a one on one basis, and dial in effective teaching strategies....

Plus three fresh, organic meals a day prepared just for us!!! Mmmmm.........can't wait!

Until next time......Pura Vida Amigos....

Monday, April 21, 2008

Upcoming Workshops


Costa Rica

Erik Dalton & Aaron Mattes
San Jose, Costa Rica
Pura Vida Resort
April 26- May 3, 2008
26 CE Hours>>>Cutting-Edge Therapy>>>Tropical Vacation

Pura Vida Spa......Set in a tropical paradise hidden in the hills of Costa Rica, renowned manual therapy specialists Aaron Mattes and Erik Dalton conduct lively, entertaining and informative certification workshops. Special video animation, anatomy dissection and hands-on demos stimulate the visual learner, while relaxed practice sessions delight kinesthetically-attuned therapists.

NAMTI
Sedona Arizona.....

Sedona Arizona- NAMTI

Presented by Geoffrey Bishop, Dalton's 1st certified teacher in Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques

Pain Management for Neck, Low Back, and Shoulder Dysfunction
25 CE hours

To Register Contact: NAMTI (928) 282-7737 or visit NAMTI online


Day 1….Neck Pain: Dalton’s very popular “Dirty Dozen” pain-bustin’ techniques help massage therapists assess and correct neck "cricks", dowager's humps, TOS, pinched nerves, scoliosis, rib pain and more.


Day 2…Back Pain: Simplified "back spasm" recipe for torsioned spines, locked SI joints and adhesive hip capsules. Includes innovative side-lying techniques & assisted stretching routines…perfect for treating large or pregnant clients.

Day 3…Upper Extremity: Shoulder, arm, and hand pain plagues the American workforce and sporting industry. Here you will learn innovative techniques to assess and treat; frozen shoulder, acromioclavicular pain, rotator cuff injuries, bicipital tendonitis, “golfer’s” and “tennis” elbow, carpal tunnel, De Quervain syndrome and trigger fingers. A must take for all corporate and sports massage therapists.

Work Hands

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

A common complaint we see at Stay Tuned Therapeutics, when working with office and production workers, is forearm discomfort. We see many people coming in with pain at the outside, top of the elbow, when the palm is facing down. It may be that the tendons at the lateral condyle are week, and in need of strength rather than the stretch. Stretch is commonly prescribed when anything hurts. What if it is to long and weak already?

Theraband products are a big help, easy to use and affordable. This simple elastic resistance band has many uses, today we will explore finger/wrist extension so those little tendons don't get so beat up.

Fig.1) Start. Begin by making a gentle fist and covering it with the resistance band as shown in the image.

Fig. 2) Slowly extend the fingers and wrist, as shown in Fig. 2. Hold for 4 seconds, then allow the fingers to curl back under, slowly. Slow is a key factor, have control of this movement. This is known as concentric and eccentric exercise.

Do a set of 10 on each wrist/hand, with 4 second holds in extension. Repeat this strength movement 3 times a day. Often times I have seen a much quicker recovery from hand and wrist pain using these strength exercises than I have with stretching the heck out of it......


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Monday, April 7, 2008

Pelvic Floor


There are only a few times I can think of when people mention Pelvic Floor. One being after child birth and the other being incontinence (bladder control). The typical prescription is to strengthen the pelvic floor.

There is research to show that the breath is directly related to function the pelvic floor as well. In yoga class we learn to breath deep into the abdomen, we hear the teacher refer to diaphragmatic breathing. It is necessary at this point to be able to allow the pelvic floor to drop and relax. Often times people present with tight adductors, hamstrings, gluteals, and rotators of the hips (piriformis, obturator internus) all of which share fascial connections with the pelvic floor, specifically, levator ani.

Learning to feel

On the in breath, the spine begins to flatten and we lose some degree of our lumbar curve. As we breath deep into the diaphragm, it is necessary to drop the abdominal content toward our knees. This achieved by relaxing the pelvic floor (pelvic diaphragm) and allowing it to expand. Feel your sacrum drop, lengthening the spine.

These exercises have been know to help in some cases of incontinence, systitis and irritable bowl syndrome as well, when the key factor at play is facilitation of the pelvic floor (too tight). Cases such as abuse and assault may create such holding patterns, lending to a life long insult to a persons psyche. Many cases are simply a result of mechanically-produced, excessive tone with a background of dance, athletics and bad Pilates.

Try this simple exercise in breathing, consult your health care provider and manual therapist and see if you begin to feel better.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Thanks

A note from the teaching clinic.....

Geoffrey,
Thank you for your time this afternoon. I really enjoyed the learning opportunity with such a perfect client to work on. How can I say this best - I'm so impressed with your professionalism and your talent. I've been working diligently and consistently in school to learn my basic anatomy and its obvious that there is a lifetime of learning yet to be done.
Also, I really like the new location and what you have done to it to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

My pleasure Dana, I have passion for my work and love to pass the information along. You are going to be a wonderful therapist as is evident by your passion for the work. I wish you all the best......

Sedona, Phoenix, Sedona, Home...Costa Rica

Up coming schedule.....

Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques, NAMTI, Sedona
Sunday, April 6, 10am-6 pm
Monday, April 7, 6pm-9:30pm
Wednesday, April 9, 6pm-9:30pm
Friday, April 11, 6pm-9:30pm (Phoenix, Ironman Arizona, 8am-2pm)
Sunday, April 13, 10am-6pm
Monday, April 14, 6pm-9:30pm
Wednesday, April 16, 1:30 -5pm, 6pm-9:30pm
Thursday, April 17, 9am-5pm
Friday, April 18, 6pm-9:30pm
Monday, April 21, 9am-5pm
Tuesday, April 22, 9am-5pm
Wednesday, April 23, 9am-5pm
Thursday, April 24, 9am-12:30pm

1st group
2nd group

Thursday, April 24th, Fly out for Myoskeletal Alignment 6th annual retreat with Erik Dalton and Aaron Mattes at Pura Vida Resort in Costa Rica.

Click the purple links to find out more......


Friday, April 4, 2008

Flagstaff Invasion

Keeping Peter Gilmore's spinal engine running.

Flagstaff, Arizona has recently experienced a great influx of population from the North, South, East and West. For me it has been a welcomed experience. At 7,000 ft, the city of Flagstaff is prime real estate for the athletes, from all over the world, to train their way to the 2008 Beijing Games. Many of the spots are still open for the world's best.

Athletes come to Flagstaff to train their systems while adapting to altitude. In acclimatizing to the altitude, the human body produces more red blood cells (hemoglobin) in which to carry oxygen to the working slow twitch muscles fibers of endurance sports. These muscles burn oxygen as one source of fuel. The training may produce only a small improvement in times for the athlete. There is only a small gap between first place and last place when the entire field is moving like these guys. Look at the recent ITU Mooloolaba triathlon. Between first place of 1:49:50 and tenth place 1:50:58 there is just over one second.

Please note 7th place belongs to Paul Tichelaar 1:50:38 and tenth place to Kyle Jones 1:50:58. Both of whom hail from Canada and trained in Flagstaff from late Feb. to late March. I am interested in speaking with the guys now that they have left, to see how they feel the training has paid off.

The UASTF Olympic trials are to be held in Eugene, Oregon this year from June 27 thru July 6. I may be in attendance providing Myoskeletal Alignment with some of my long time athletes, and hoping to meet some new people. Flagstaff has an abundant population of athletes move here, part time and full time,to prepare for these events. Time will tell. I am optimistic that the long hours will pay off.

Recovery and prevention are key components for all of the folks who come here to train. Along with proper nutrition and smart training, many of the athletes are utilizing Myoskeletal Techniques as preventative medicine. With the efforts put in by these athletes, staying ahead of the aches and pains associated with movement and breathing is the name of the game. The athletes cannot allow themselves to focus on the lack of efficient oxygen/nitrogen transfer during their initial training. They learn to ignore and conquer the discomfort that comes with each breath until the pain slowly recedes. When the headaches, diarrhea, and stomach cramps finally subside…they begin to excel.

In the absence of proper manual therapy, the months that athletes spend at altitude can seem much longer. Some camps can last for as long as three months, creating a dramatic energy drain. These folks need to be able to concentrate on their sport, not their body telling them there is something wrong with the biomechanics of their movement and activities. This year could be the realization of a life long dream, the podium in China.

I wish all of the athletes I have worked with the best on their journey.