Do You Have the Mindset to Age Well?
Here at ABC, we do more than just teach you corrective exercise and natural movement. We make sure we set you up with the mindset you need to be successful because that can make or break how you age.
Keeping a positive mindset around aging can be a struggle, but can be just as powerful as the actions you take. Did you know that the stress created by the fear of developing medical conditions are stronger risk factors for these chronic conditions than any other physical risk factor? And that having a fear of falling actually makes you more likely to fall than having had a fall in the past?
This just goes to show the stories that we tell ourselves matter. So we can choose to focus on the positive or on the negative, but either choice we make will impact our lives for better or worse. So make the choice today to focus on the positive and see firsthand what a difference it makes!
Get your free copy of our Ebook: 5 Simple Steps to Take Control of Your Chronic Pain to...
MYTH: Your Balance Can't Get Better Because of Your Age
MYTH: Your balance can't get better because of your age.
We think this should be a ridiculous statement, but sadly many of the people we encounter hold on to this mistaken belief. The truth is that anything gets better with practice, regardless of your age!
At ABC, we help you adopt a growth mindset so you can age in the way in which you choose. You balance can always be better than it is right now no matter where you are starting from.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact us for a FREE balance assessment today at [email protected].
Get your free copy of our Ebook: 5 Simple Steps to Take Control of Your Chronic Pain to finally have an understanding of where your pain is coming from and start taking action TODAY!
Are You Challenging Yourself Everyday?
How often should we be challenging our balance?
Every. Day.
It is true that we live in a world that no longer challenges our balance. We have a habit of sticking to routines that don't allow for much variability in our movement throughout the day. And this is where the problem comes in...
It does not matter how old you are, as soon as you stop seeking variety mobility starts to decline. This is why it is so critical to find small ways each and every day to challenge yourself!
The opportunities you have to improve your balance every day are endless! What can you do to start to challenge your balance today?
Get your free copy of our Ebook: 5 Simple Steps to Take Control of Your Chronic Pain to finally have an understanding of where your pain is coming from and start taking action TODAY!
Video FAQ: Is It Normal to Decline With Age?
We wish the answer to the question, "Is it normal to decline with age?" was more obvious.
One of the most common themes we hear from our clients is that the decline they are experiencing was inevitable because of their age...
We are here to tell you this absolutely does NOT have to be normal!
In this video, we dispel some of the most common MYTHS we hear, including:
- "It's normal to start falling as I get older"
- "I'm too old for my balance to get better"
- "I've been told I will be in pain for the rest of my life"
- "Because I have arthritis I will always have pain"
- And more...
If the above sound like anything you have ever found yourself thinking or have ever heard, this video is for you!
Let us know what other aging myths you believe or have heard and reach out to us! We would love to provide you the resources you need to age gracefully.
Get your free copy of our Ebook: 5 Simple Steps to Take Control of Your Chronic Pain to finally have an...
How Your Physical Health Relates to Your Mental Health
Brain health isn't a topic discussed often enough, particularly within the medical community. On the bright side, the topics of mental health and access to mental health services have come to light in the last few years. But, the aging brain is often left out of the conversation.
What is a Floor Transfer?
Alignment 101: Foot Alignment Points
Happy, healthy feet are the key to healthy movement. As we've said before, your feet are the foundation of your body. You wouldn’t want a foundation of a house that's not aligned, so you don't want the same from the foundation of your body.
Quick Test: Are Your Hips Actually Weight-Bearing?
In order for your hips to be building bone density through the day, they need to be supporting the weight of your pelvis and torso in a certain alignment.
A common pattern we see with resting standing positions is standing with the pelvis pushed slightly forward (as in the first picture). It's subtle but has major implications for bone health of the hips (not to mention the long term impact of this position on foot health, core strength, and balance).
Shifting the pelvis back so your body weight is carried over the heels (second picture) and maintaining this position throughout the day allows for optimal bone health. However, getting to this position if this is not your usual requires taking a closer look at the muscle groups that attach to the pelvis.
A quick and simple test to help you determine where you carry your center of mass: make a plumb line from string with something weighted at the bottom. Position yourself facing sideways toward a mirror and find the boniest...
Try This Quick Test for Balance
A quick test for balance: how long are you able to stand on one leg without arm support?
To set up: keep a chair or something you can hold if needed nearby and stand in front of a mirror with your feet hip width apart, shoes and socks off. Place your hands on your hips, shift your weight to one side and pick your opposite foot off the floor. How long can you hold this position?
An adult around age 30 should be able to comfortably hold this position for 30 seconds. In adults over age 65, an inability to hold this for at least 5 seconds indicates a greater risk of falls. Were you surprised by your results?
We often get asked why we spend so much time practicing single leg standing in therapy. This skill is important because this is the position we spend the most amount of time in while walking! In order to take a step forward, you have to stand on one leg to allow the other leg to swing forward. If you are having difficulty with single leg standing, it is likely your walking...
Your Worst Health Habit Is Likely... Your Shoes
One of the most detrimental health habits humans tend to have is something most of us probably never give much thought to, at least in terms of health impact.
It's your shoes.
For every 1 degree of heel your shoe has, 1 degree of spine, hip, and knee joint reaction is required to compensate…. meaning for every 1 inch of heel your shoe has, it causes 20 degrees of change throughout the joints of the legs and spine!
Think even a modest heel is not a detriment to your health? Think again.
Your footwear choices have a major negative impact on your joint, bone, and muscle health. The amount of joint reaction caused by wearing heels can be contributing to knee and hip osteoarthritis, lumbar disc compression, and even pelvic floor dysfunction (new moms... please avoid heels!). Improper footwear choices are also a common culprit of falls in older adults.
So, believe it or not... one of the biggest impact steps you can take toward improving your health is...
