Mobility Exercises

To have healthy shoulders that allow you to comfortably use your arms overhead, it's essential that your shoulder blades are optimally mobile and that you have good motor control over their movement along the posterior wall of your rib cage - the scapular mobility exercises shown in the video above will allow you to fulfill both of these requirements for healthy shoulder function. Read more about How to Improve Scapular Mobility to Support Healthy Shoulder Function

When hamstrings and calves are short and hypertonic from lack of mindful use and stretching, their tendons can generate a low-grade backward pulling force on the tibia or femur, which predisposes the quadriceps and patellar tendon that runs along the anterior portion of the knee to injury. This is why regular stretching of your hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and soleus is essential to supporting healthy knee function. Read more about Exercises for Knee Pain

Over the past two decades, I have utilized spinal adjustments, stretching, acupuncture, soft tissue work, and every major modality used in physiotherapy to address a wide range of back and hip issues. While all of these therapies can be helpful, in my experience, the most effective way to support a healthier lower back and pelvic region is to improve the functional strength of the muscles that control your core region. These muscles include your lower paraspinals, abdominals, hip flexors, and hip extensors.

For a look at two of my favourite exercises for strengthening the core region, please have a look at the following video: