Snowboard Exercises

Get ready to hit the slopes, or if you are feeling weak after the slope hitting, try these simple bits to improve your stamina!

NAU Job Loss

Did ever tell you about the time I was FIRED from the prestigious Northern Arizona University’s Altitude Training Center after 6 years of dedicated service?

On March 29, 2007, A Flagstaff masseur, Robert P. “Bobby” Thiem Jr., who admitted to fondling female clients was sentenced on three felony counts involving sexual misconduct, netting him 6 years in prison.

(see story)

So, I, Geoffrey Bishop, was not the rapist, but somehow the state’s “risk management” team, the insurance company for the university, NAU human resources, and the directors of the center found that I was unfit to work one on one with the worlds “greatest” athletes. (Just in case I was a rapist?)

I was told by a representative of the center that all of the massage programs, campus-wide, would be cut due to liability on the part of the state.

Since that time, there are still two places on campus where one may obtain massage. The Recreation Center and Fronske Health Center.

There are a few points that insult me the most…

1. I was lied to.

2. The therapists that kept their positions were both female, and unlicensed.

3. I was told to keep it quiet, or I would not receive the “unofficial” referrals from the directors to visiting athletes. (which I did, against my better judgment)

I still have a big handful of international athletes who utilize my services when they visit, but it’s really not about that. It’s more to due with the anger I have had with the institution since this time. They were able to pimp me out, and I stood by and let it happen. I feel bad for the two people who lost their jobs in this recent abolishment of the Center for Altitude Training. I feel bad for the folks who have to make these decisions. However, athletes will still come to Flagstaff to train. We will still make our money in the community, and the people who made these decisions will have that weight on their mind.

NAU closes Olympic training facility

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Northern Arizona University is closing its Center for High Altitude Training as a result of the university’s budget reduction, according to an afternoon press release from the NAU Public Affairs Office.

Two regular NAU staff members and two temporary employees will lose their positions as a result. Since its opening in 1994, the center has hosted elite athletes from around the world—about 80 percent being foreign swim teams.

Closing the Center for High Altitude Training will save the university up to $230,000 a year.

“This is not an easy decision for the university leadership,” said Mason Gerety, vice president for University Advancement. “But in this time of crisis we have to make difficult choices that will be in the best interest of all of Northern Arizona University.”

Last week, the state Legislature proposed spending reductions for the Arizona University System of $243 million for the remaining few months of the current fiscal year and $388 million for fiscal year 2010, which begins July 1. NAU’s share of the cut would be about $31.2 million for FY09 and almost $50 million for FY10.

Since June 2008, Northern Arizona University has trimmed about $10.5 million in budget reductions. At the same time, NAU experienced the highest percentage enrollment growth—6.9 percent—in the Arizona University System. It has had 15 percent enrollment growth since 2005.

The university has policies and practices in place for classified staff employees facing layoffs, which includes a 60-day notice. Service professional employees are subject to the conditions of professional service, which requires a 90-day notice for non-renewal. Additionally, Human Resources offers assistance in finding employment for employees facing layoff or non-renewal.

NAU will begin closing the center immediately but will honor commitments to a few teams that have scheduled visits through the end of the fiscal year.

“The staff has done good work, and this is a tremendous loss,” said Gerety. “However, this is a time of unprecedented budget cuts and we have to look for savings throughout all areas of the university.”

The center has never been self sufficient, Gerety said, and its duties are far removed from NAU’s core mission of providing exceptional undergraduate and graduate education as well as distance learning and research.

In 2004 the Center for High Altitude Training was designated a U.S. Olympic Training Site. “Losing the designation will be a loss to NAU and the community,” Gerety said.

Representatives of the U.S. Olympic Committee and community leaders have been notified of the university’s decision.

Snowbowl Pass Holders Discount!

http://staytunedaz.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/snowbowl-season-pass-holders/

New web site...

http://staytunedaz.wordpress.com/

Massage in Flagstaff
Therapeutic Massage Flagstaff
Flagstaff Myoskeletal Alignment
Sports Massage Flagstaff......and all that!!

Inner Spiral

1. Bicep Femoris causes external rotation, and locks the fibular head posterior.

2. Sweeping the adductor fascia posterior, encouraging internal rotation.

3. Vastus lateralis has a tendency to "hang" off the outside of the body causing external rotation.

Over the past few months I have been experimenting with Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques that many clients have given the name Inner Spiral. Traditionally a yoga concept, the inner spiral is focused in the lower extremity, spiraling the fascia, muscle, and bone to a more medial position, ultimately assisting in "tightening the "core"".

Yogis advise students to point the femur inward, pull in the abs, and release the deep gluteal muscles, some suggest the student grasp the tissue in the legs and work medially, toward the inner thigh.

From the stand point of a hands on therapist I work with the client to achieve the same results. Using classic techniques such as the "log roll" in a supine position, or the "windshield wiper" in supine we encourage the fascia, muscle, joint capsule to wind back medially. Additionally I work the tissue in a side lying position, and prone position. Using active client involvement, change occurs that much faster, resetting the bodies understanding of where the tissue's "home" is. I simply ask the client to counter rotate while I hold pressure into the tissue. After the contraction, the tissue softened as the client relaxes, and I move it more medial.

If you are a therapist, try incorporating this in you next massage if you suspect excessive lateral femoral rotation. If you are a client who is suspect, ask your therapist to give it a try, it feels wonderful!

Reduction of Lateral Epicondylitis

A common misconception in the self treatment of pain is that we always need to stretch where it is that we feel the pain. A classic example is in the case of lateral epicondylitis, or "tennis elbow".

When I look at the mechanics of what is commonly the cause of this condition I see a few factors coming into play.

First off, this is not a condition that is solely seen at the racket club and on the courts. Lateral epicondylitis is often seen with wrench turners, bakers, massage therapists, sign language interpreters, and so on. Any body whose lifestyle requires them to repetitively flex the forearm is at risk for this pesky pain generator. To be fair, racket sports beat the hell out of these tissues, on the back hand, if they are weak!

Here's the deal...I have found this to be true in 90% of my clients. Weak.

The fix...balance. Oh balance, what a concept. Aside from work and sport, we were gifted with all sorts of other interest and ability. Bike riding for lesier or transport, car driving, dishes washed, weeding the garden, holding young ones, typing a blog, we use our forearm flexors to do nearly all we do. Enough of that.....

The fix...strengthen the opposing muscle group. Stretch the tight line, strengthen the weak line. The following images demonstrate a few simple daily techniques to stop this potentially lifestyle altering, and oftentimes painful epidemic.

Stretch the tight line...

So whats the problem? Is that a tight muscle, a joint problem, or a weakness?


Stretching the flexor muscles of the forearm, in some schools of thought, will reciprocally strengthen the extensors of the forearm. Be sure you are stretching all the way out from the fingertips as is shown in the above image.

Back to Work

Well, I know I have been a slacker on the blog postings as of late. I have been busy in the clinic, at home, teaching, running around the country with the Freedom From Pain Institute and working on many side projects.

I have a new article coming out in Massage & Bodywork Magazine, "Tuning the Athlete- Breathing and Lumbar Alignment". This will appear in the upcoming issue, Nov/Dec Sports Massage issue. This was a tough concept in the beginning. Writing an article like this is a a great self teaching tool, it requires much research, and made me really look deep into what I was thinking about! Much fun! I will post it when the article has hit the stands later this month.

Our massage business in Flagstaff has remained busy through this troubled time in the market. It seems when times are tough people seek out what makes them feel good. A movie, some good comfort food, and good old pain management are on the top of the list, nothing like an hour on the table, to get away, forget the newsman and stock market for a bit. I am honored to play a role, it makes me feel good, in bringing some peace into peoples lives.....thanks folks.

Today begins another 40 hour intensive in Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques(R), at NAMTI in Sedona. This is a great time of year to be able to drive through Oak Creek Canyon, view the wonders of nature every day before class begins...should be a great time once again! The apples are coming out of the orchards and every market seems to have fresh roasted green chilies! YUM!!

I will be joining Erik and the crew from Freedom From Pain at the next workshop in Atlanta, Oct. 17-19.

Myoskeletal Alignment for Neck, Sciatic and Shoulder Pain

Three day seminar provides innovative approaches for the massage therapist to utilize advanced neck, shoulder, and pelvic stabilization routines. Therapists learn immediately applicable deep tissue techniques for clients suffering neck, shoulder, and low back pain.

70% Hands on Seminar: Human dissection videos and "lively" massage demos teach innovative ways to "Find and Fix" tendon, ligament, joint capsule, and nerve impingements. Erik will demo on class participants for the following

symptoms:

Neck "Cricks" Facet- Rib Pain Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Scoliosis

SI Joint Pain Piriformis Syndrome Rotator Cuff Injuries Low Back Dysfunction

Dalton's popular workshop series compliments all forms of manual therapy and offers practical strategies for correcting reflex muscle spasm caused by joint blockage.

Well, off to see the wizard!