Blog

Finding balance in a stressful world

The human body perceives stress as a cumulative load—whether physical, mental, or emotional. This can lead to an overactive sympathetic nervous system, leaving the body in a constant “wound-up” state. While short-term stress is manageable, chronic stress can keep the body in a heightened state of activity, resulting in accelerated heart rates, hormonal imbalances, and a host of other issues. In this state, the body is essentially in overdrive, making it difficult to recover from injuries and adapt to physical therapy.

More effective ways to regain mobility

It’s important to recognize that a certain level of stiffness is not only acceptable but often beneficial, particularly for athletes. This natural stiffness allows athletes to be more elastic, enabling them to generate maximum power with minimal effort. This quality often distinguishes elite athletes from the average person and is something both coaches and clinicians should be mindful of.

 

Pack The Neck!

Most clinicians and coaches understand the importance of achieving and maintaining an optimal spine position during exercise and daily life. Appropriate lumbo-pelvic posturing is often the initial focus towards correction however this will often take care of itself (or make correction much easier) when optimal cervical spine posture is achieved. Many rest in upper cervical extension and lower cervical flexion, manifesting as the typical forward head posture often seen. This results in a lack of joint centration or stability throughout the cervical spine, leading to overactive upper cervical extensors/scalenes and sternocleidomastoids, while the intrinsic stabilizers are inhibited, most notably the deep neck flexors.

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