Why Postural Exercise?
In our focus on wellness, our exercise offerings have recently transitioned from traditional personal training sessions to personalized postural corrective exercise programs. This work is based on the principals of bio-mechanics and physics and is designed to re-establish proper structure and balance to the body. In a healthy body, each joint should be aligned or stacked above the next creating proper load bearing. This is important in allowing the body to move efficiently, without pain, discomfort, limitations or compensations. When your posture is off for a long time, certain compensations are created in the body where some muscles are overactive - becoming very tight and stiff, while other muscles which should be working become inactive - and very weak. We have found that personal training and regular exercise can perpetuate pain and postural misalignments, hindering progress in our other bodywork services. This type of postural work not only corrects deviations, but can help with other fitness and weight loss goals by stretching, strengthening and helping inactive muscles become active again so you use more muscles in every movement.
Postural exercises are very helpful on their own or used in conjunction with any other of your favorite complementary modalities. This is a terrific home care tool to help the benefits of your massage, acupuncture or chiropractic sessions last long past your appointment.
In our experience, we have seen the fastest, most lasting improvements achieved from combining Postural Work with Bowenwork (neurological release of muscle tension). This combination is the key to our "Body Restoration Services".
What To Expect
Our Postural Work consists first of a personal postural assessment, where we visually examine and chart your posture to determine you specific postural deviations. We then create an exercise program designed just for you. Next, we teach you your exercise program. This may be done later in the same visit or on a following visit. Now our job is done and it is up to you to do these exercises at home at least five days out of the week. We can design a longer or shorter program as your schedule allows, but working the program and coming back for updates every 1-2 weeks is essential in gaining the benefits of the exercises.
As your posture improves and your symptoms subside, we will make a maintenance program that you can use as a preventative measure, from time to time, or if your symptoms return. Rest assured, we don't want you to stay on this program forever. The goal is for you to return to a healthy, active lifestyle doing the exercise and activities you most enjoy, without needing a program to feel good.
During Your Session
Please wear or bring shorts and a fitness top to wear during the postural assessment, which will take approximately 30 minutes. During this time we will discuss your health history, activities, fitness level and physical concerns. During the visual assessment, we chart your posture and determine structural imbalances which we use to design a personalized corrective exercise program. It generally takes 15-20 minutes to demonstrate your new program. You will also receive a paper copy of your exercises to bring home with you. You may want to reconsider your current workouts or put them on hold if they could be contributing to your issues