A Kinesiologist's job is recognizing dysfunction in their patient's bodies and understanding how each issue is accompanied by a weakness in a specific corresponding muscle. You may see a man sitting, having coffee with a friend. A kinesiologist sees a man with a slouched, compressed seated posture that indicates possible issues that could greatly impede his future well being.
From top down, the problem areas are;
Cervical flexion: This is the motion that allows you to bend your head toward your chest. In this image the gentleman's neck is leaning too far forward which can lead to instability of the head and neck and cause headaches.
Lumbar flexion: This is the rounding of the back, more commonly called "slouching". While this is common, it is harmful and often is one of the causes of chronic low back pain.
Posterior pelvic tilt: This is a condition where your pelvis is tilted backwards, away from its' neutral position. In this pelvic position, the tailbone is tucked in under the body and the front (anterior) portion of the hips tilt up and back. This also causes strain on the lower back as well as hip pain and tight hamstrings.
Now you know how complicated a "simple" slouching seated position can be and the possible painful issues it can cause, but what can we do to help? A kinesiologist would prescribe strengthening exercises. At Reneu Health, one of our favorites is the back extension. It strengthens the back and the core helping us to hold ourselves upright properly and taking the strain off of our necks and lower backs with proper alignment.
A back extension can be done in a few different ways; laying down and on a bench.
For laying down back extensions, lie on your stomach, facedown, arms straight out in front of you, palms down, and legs straight out behind you. Pull your abs in, as if you’re trying to create a small space between your stomach and the floor.
Lift your left arm and right leg about one inch off the floor, and stretch out as much as you can. Hold this position for five slow counts and then lower your arm and leg back down.
On the bench, lie face down on a hyperextension bench, tucking your ankles securely under the footpads. Adjust the upper pad if possible so your upper thighs lie flat across the wide pad, leaving enough room for you to bend at the waist without any restriction. Start bending forward slowly at the waist as far as you can while keeping your back flat. Inhale as you perform this movement. Keep moving forward until you feel a nice stretch on the hamstrings and you can no longer keep going without a rounding of the back. Slowly raise your torso back to the initial position as you inhale.
Notice this pattern in your everyday life? Give Reneu Health Inc. a call and schedule your FREE consultation today!
We are a team of experienced clinical kinesiologists who specialize in preventive and rehabilitative exercise for seniors. We believe that aging is part of a beautiful journey and everyone deserves to live their best life. We understand that as our bodies get older, it doesn’t function the same. As some see this as a limitation, we see it as an opportunity. With the right mindset, knowledge, tools and support we help improve quality of life, slow the progression of certain conditions and help you take control of your health.
Call us today for a free consultation. San Diego 619.263.0329 or Orange County 949.245.6239.