.

This is what he found and I thought it was a great analogy of cause and effect...have a great week finding solutions

I saw this small crack in the wall at the office and I asked Sphiwe to take a look...

The body is designed to withstand challenges provided you give it what it requires.

Tell me which one you can do?

Here is a simple test of your hip flexibility - can you sit down on the floor and stand up again without the use of our hands (or any other aids!)

If you can send me the video of your attempt.

These curves are formed during the natural development of a child and they should be fully formed by 7 years of age. Thereafter, the only changes is in size and obviously developing the strong muscles surrounding.

Many people have injuries, poor posture and repetitive bad spinal habits before 7 years of age, create a huge impact on the spine going forward.

Teach kids about their spine and get their spines checked!

When looking at the spine from the side we have four primary curves  1. The curve outwards at the pelvis 2. The curve inwards on the lower back 3. The curve outwards of the upper back 4. The curve inwards of the neck  These curves have the importance of maintaining uprightness and effortless movement. Any deviation in the curves effects the posture and causes dysfunctional movement resulting in pain inflammation and eventually chronic damage.

One of the largest causes or underlying factor of many diseases is chronic inflammation. 

Let’s bring clarity - any acute injury will have acute inflammation. Acute inflammation should take 3 to 7 days for the body to clear it out. Acute inflammation is a vital part to the normal protective and healing process of the body. 

Acute inflammation will become chronic if: 

1) the injury is significant enough that requires something specific to help it heal but you have not provided this
2) you have a subsequent injury during the vital healing process that injures the body further
3) your underlying chemistry of your body is not conducive for healing. This is mostly because you do not lead healthy lifestyle but genetic factors play a role
4) the movement of your body is dysfunctional which does not allow the acute inflammation to clear out quickly 

What applies to you?

This is a great meme that indicates how chronic problems of the spine develop over time, resilience is lost and drastically influence your quality of life.

Making change to your health is always sustainable if you focus on one step at a time and keep to the fundamentals. 
What one thing could you do next week that would positively impact your health? 

Have a great weekend

There is a huge difference between survival and thrival physiological state. 

In survival physiological state your body's response to any and every external factors is to survive as best as possible. 

In thrival physiological state your body's response to any and every external factors is to adapt, function and perform as best as possible. 

Think about metabolism 
Survival - slow metabolism, less energy, more fat production for a rainy day.
Thrival - fast metabolism, energy to achieve your best, optimal body composition for Performance

Think about body movement
Survival - stiff, rigid, painful and preventing sudden drastic movement.
Thrival - free, dynamic, well controlled

So for a moment what type of physiology are you in?

Most will ask how they get into thrival... Daily actions make the most difference!

Went to the SA calesthenics nationals today. Super impressive what humans can achieve with their body. Hope you had a wonderful youth day. 

“Taking care of your health keeps you youthful”

What did you get up to?

I often get asked my opinion on various aspects of health and what is current and trending; I find that uncle Google and social media can be full of both ends of the information spectrum and this can make it hard to know what is right, what you can believe in and what you choose to act on. 

I have found PubMed very insightful to gain access to research information rather than someone's opinion or worse yet a conspiracy theory. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It does take some time to learn how to read and scan research let me know if you require assistance. 

I feel being informed and taking it upon yourself to review what the literature says allows you to make better decisions!

Some of the simple mechanisms that create imbalance habits in your spine:
1) carrying bags or suitcases on one shoulder
2) favouring carrying babies on one hip
3) sitting crossed leg
4) standing shifting weight towards one side
5) holding phone between ear and shoulder
6) tilting your head to your shoulder in a show of sympathy
7) wallet in you back pocket
8) leaning into the arm rest of your chair or in your car
9) your acceleration foot in the car rotated outwards
10) unilateral sports such as tennis, Hockey, netball etc

5 and 2

5 and 2

I have found this a very simple mechanism that helps people maintain commitment to their new health plan and rituals. 

5 days per week clean and 100% commitment 
2 days per week allow some small leeways; "everything in moderation including moderation"

For example I love coffee, toast, mayonnaise and dairy products. However if I consumer these regularly my body starts to fight; heartburn, bloating, cramping, asthma, energy shiftings, irritibility. Perhaps you know what I am talking about?

When I first worked on my digestive and respiratory issues I had to go cold turkey and go for long (6 months or more) with numerous rounds of cleanses, detoxes and medications to get my physiology to a more adaptive place. However I found that my mental work was not conducive and just as I was starting to get better I would binge, suffer the symptomatic consequences and have to start from scratch. 

I have found 5 and 2 helps you mentally. So: 

1. Choose your 2 days in the week, I always make Sunday afternoon and evening clean so that I start my week well
2. Choose what you wish to enjoy; do not waste your 2 days on something that you do not truly enjoy
3. Choose when you wish to enjoy it; I do not have each meal on those 2 days as I want. 
4. Truly enjoy each bite and satisfy your taste for it. I found when I binged I would just smash my face without even tasting anything... So now I purposely take my time to enjoy each bite and this curbs the cravings
5. Try the 3 taste rule (I will share this another time)
6. Remind yourself that 5 days clean gains the reward

Quick poll - do you feel that the state of your current health is
1) completely related to your genetics? 
2) completely dependant on your environmental impacts?
3) a product of the efforts you put in?
4) a combination of the three
(If you choose this one out a ratio to each) 
5) something else?

We have had a numerous patients who have had a gastric upset of some or other sort. As part of the recovery process we recommend abdominal massage. 

Always massage from the belly button to lower right quadrant, then to your right and upper left quadrant, finally finish off on lower left quadrant of the abdominal cavity. Push in with your palm and turn your hand clockwise. You can go through this numerous times to soften the tension and discomfort.