Massage & Bodywork

January/February 2011

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ESSENTIAL SKILLS THE EVALUATION: PRECISE MEASUREMENT AND GOAL SETTING What first attracted me to the Go Primal Fitness method was the evaluation process. I was impressed by the precision with which the assessment protocols can measure a person's flexibility, spinal curves, balance, mobility, and other aspects of musculoskeletal function. For instance, for every major muscle in the body, they can determine whether that structure is within a normal range of flexibility and strength, or whether there is limited mobility, hypermobility, weakness, or excess tension. In addition, a special device called an inclinometer measures the exact amount of curvature in each portion of the spine, both at rest and in motion; this detects any abnormalities in these curves and limitations in spinal mobility. I generally consider myself to be fairly adept at noticing spinal abnormalities, so was surprised when this device picked up significant deviations that were much more subtle than I could recognize on my own. Moving beyond those isolated measurements, ongoing evaluations also examine more complex biomotor functions. Specifically, they look at a variety of basic movement patterns (such as bending, squatting, lunging, walking, and sprinting) that were central to human survival as we evolved. Any limitation or abnormality in these movements—for instance, instability in a lunge or a tendency to lean back while walking—is a sign of potential trouble. Getting to the root cause of these issues sometimes requires looking outside the musculoskeletal system. For instance, a common body alignment problem is "forward head posture": the head protrudes forward, thereby increasing tension Scope of Practice If you're considering integrating exercise into your massage therapy practice, make sure you do so safely, responsibly, and within the legal guidelines of our profession. In some states, teaching exercise is included in a massage therapist's scope of practice, but in others it is not. The best way to build skill while protecting yourself and your clients is to become certified as a personal trainer. There are a wide variety of certification programs available, and some are more helpful for massage therapists than others. If you'd like specific recommendations, feel free to contact me directly. through the entire chain of extensor muscles on the posterior side of the body. In some people, this habitual pattern may be driven by vision problems, allergies, or other conditions that need to get addressed in order for lasting change to occur. Just as important as the physical evaluation is an entirely low-tech assessment: asking about clients' goals and desired levels of performance. Will they be performing hard manual labor, competing in triathalons, or taking leisurely bike rides with friends? How do their capacities for power, strength, and endurance match up with the activities they wish to accomplish? Note that these three related aspects of fitness are considered and measured separately: power involves producing force very rapidly (as in dunking a basketball); strength is more of a slow, grinding type of 94 massage & bodywork january/february 2011 In contrast to lifting weights on a machine, which provides false stability, performing a dead lift requires actively maintaining balance—both forward-to-back and side-to-side. effort (as in lifting a heavy object); and endurance requires enduring stress over a long period of time (as in a marathon or 100-mile bike ride). THE TRAINING PROGRAM: DEVELOPING A CUSTOMIZED PLAN After identifying what outcomes the client wants to achieve and what factors are getting in the way, the next step is developing a corrective exercise program. Because each individual comes in with a unique set of goals, physical capacities, and limitations, no two people will wind up with the same training plan. What remains constant is the focus on natural movements, rather than machine-based workouts. The PrObLem wITh mAChIneS When asked why they use exercise machines, many people say, "To stay in shape." The question is, in shape for what? As the creators of Go Primal Fitness point out, most people's exercise programs are actually easier than their lives, considering everyday strains such as lifting a child or carrying a heavy suitcase or grocery bag. White refers to the traditional gym design as a "mall-style" environment. The focus is on ease and comfort, rather than the type of hard work necessary to improve function and fitness.

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