Happy New Year! 

Thank you for all of the adventures we have had meeting and working together over the past year.  

Another year, another list of goals and expectations or resolutions, right?It's hard to end one thing, without reflecting on what we could have done better and what we want to improve for the next year.  And although reflection and goal setting are important, we don't want to get stuck on hard, fast, resolutions that often set us up for disappointment when we do not achieve them by January 2.

 

So, let's talk about a positive vision for the future (not just this year, but for many years to come):

"Vision" is defined as:  "the special sense by which the qualities of an object (such as color, luminosity, shape, and size) constituting its appearance are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed by the retina into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve".That's a lot of words to simply say, we can see because of the way we process and "perceive" light waves.Vision is also defined as "the act of power of imagination".  Meaning, you can create a mental picture that can be used to direct your actions (especially when you are constantly reminded of this vision either by your annoying Physical Therapist or by something like a Vision Board).  

 

Let's talk about vision and perception for a minute.  This month's video is all about the ability to Touch Your Toes (a skill that everyone should be able to achieve from a general flexibility standpoint, but remember, you are not lifting heavy objects from here!!  Proper lifting lecture for another day).  This concept is outlined in the "Myths vs. Facts" page on my website, but sometimes it is best to actually "see" what we are talking about.

 

Oftentimes, when people cannot touch their toes, the perception is that it is due to tight hamstrings.  And so, many people will spend countless hours stretching their hamstrings only to be no closer to touching their toes.What this leads to is frustration and "giving up" on a goal as being unachievable.

 

However, what is often needed in this situation, is a simple screening to see if the problem is a Mobility issue or a Motor Control issue.  If you cannot open a door, do the hinges need WD40 (a Mobility issue) or did you forget how to turn the knob (a Motor Control issue).

 

 

From the video, you can see common compensation patterns that people will display to try and reach their toes (everything from bent knees to rounding through their upper back).  

 

Ironically, what is often needed is a little pattern assistance education and instruction on the ability to turn your core on (with a chin tuck and movement with exhaling).  When you bend forward without proper core control, your hamstrings will "apply the brakes" to save you and you will feel tightness in the backs of your legs as you bend forward (this gives the misperception that the hamstrings are the problem and not the body's attempt at helping a lack of core control).

 

At Better Fit Therapy, I love to help people find their vision for the future again.  Let's figure out where you would like to see yourself, and then let's work together through what perceptions, etc., might be limiting you from getting there.

 

If you want to learn more and stay in the loop, give me a follow on social media or shoot me a DM with any questions! @betterfittherapy

 

Sunday, January 22 will be at Self-Care Sunday with Herb N. Oasis performing chair massage/trigger point release, starting at 2 p.m.  Look for this event to be posted soon on Eventbrite and all of our social media.

 

Saturday, February 18 we will be celebrating the Grand Opening of the Bada Bling Cupcakes first official storefront with possible trigger point release/chair massage and we will be giving away a free physical therapy session (in addition to a possible foam roller/lacrosse ball set). 

 

As always, thank you so much for being here and let me know if you need anything!

 

One more quote for the Road