Whether we are standing, walking or working out – our feet carry the burden of our body weight and stress during our daily movements. Often taken for granted, our feet need just as much of a recovery as the rest of our muscle groups. If recovery is neglected for too long, fatigue, tissue stress…
Sensory Stacking | The integration of tactile, visual and auditory input
The seemingly simple task of balancing on one leg or walking across the room is actually a complex, integrated, multisensory experience with stimulation coming from the eyes, ears, joints and plantar foot. For this integration to occur, the various sensory inputs must ultimately converge on the same neurons. At the cortical level, it has been…
Balance & the Basal Ganglia | The Power of Eye Movement Exercises
Fall reduction, balance training and body awareness training are all key concepts for the baby boomer and the client living with a chronic neurological condition such as MS, Parkinson’s or neuropathy. Being able to balance on one leg is not only a skill but a necessity when it comes to walking. In fact, it was the…
Somatosensory Development in Children
The somatosensory system is the part of the sensory system concerned with the conscious perception of touch, pressure, pain, temperature, position, movement, and vibration, all of which arise from the muscles, joints, skin, and fascia. In children, this complex system is crucial to the development of posture, movement, perception of self, emotion and social interactions. By understanding the way our…
Anchoring | The Mental Side of Performance
Mindset is everything. Period. As a former athlete, now CEO, I have come to greatly appreciate the power of the mind. If the mind isn’t in the game, neither are you. When it comes to performance, both athletic and in business, there is a technique that I’ve been using for years as a way to help…
Walking Speed – A Predictor of Longevity
Walking. The most foundational and functional movement pattern we do every day. This subconscious movement pattern is often taken for granted however the implications of poor walking metrics is actually a huge predictor of vitality and longevity. In fact a 2009 publication by Fritz et al. referred to gait as the 6th vital sign. Walking Speed, the Sixth Vital Sign According…
Great Toe Mobility : The Linchpin to Movement Longevity | (Part 3 – Correctives & amp; Client Programming)
Over the past couple days we have been reviewing the anatomy and functional assessment for great toe mobility. Again I am very happy by the positive response and interest by so many professionals in this topic. It shows this increasing awareness to the importance of the foot and foot function which makes me…
Great Toe Mobility : The Linchpin to Movement Longevity | (Part 2 – Functional Assessment)
I am very happy to see the overwhelming response to yesterday’s Part 1 of 3 blog posts in our Great Toe Mobility series. Based on the responses it seems like many of you are already considering the great toe and it’s mobility during your assessments – great job! In today’s post we are going to…
Great Toe Mobility : The Linchpin to Movement Longevity | (Part 1 – Anatomy)
This past weekend I was fortunate to present at the Perform Better Summit in Providence, Rhode Island. This 3-day educational event is comprised of some of the best educators and most enthusiastic professionals in the industry. A common theme throughout a couple of the sessions was the association between great toe mobility and…
Can you feel your feet?
Can you feel your feet? Often taken for granted, our feet’ sensation is necessary for optimal movement, balance, and performance. Over 20 million adults in the United States live with decreased foot sensation, also known as peripheral neuropathy. From diabetes to multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disease, this peripheral loss of sensation contributes to over…