12-27-07 03:57 PM - Post#389252    

Great stuff snipped from this Mike Boyle article:

Gray Cooks’s analysis of the body was a straightforward one; in his mind, the body is a just a stack of joints. Each joint or series of joints has a specific function and is prone to specific, predictable levels of dysfunction. As a result, each joint has specific training needs.

The table below looks at the body on a joint-by-joint basis from the bottom up:

Ankle - mobility (particularly sagittal)
Knee - stability
Hip - mobility (multi-planar)
Lumbar Spine - stability
T-Spine - mobility
Gleno-humeral - stability

The first thing you should notice as you read the above table is that the joints simply alternate mobility and stability. The ankle needs increased mobility, and the knee needs increased stability.

As we move up the body, it becomes apparent that the hip needs mobility. And so the process goes up the chain: a simple, alternating series of joints.

The process is simple:
- Lose ankle mobility, get knee pain.
- Lose hip mobility, get low back pain.
- Lose thoracic mobility, get neck and shoulder pain (or low back pain).

This has helped me hugely recently as I've zeroed in on the original cause of a list of physical problems. See attached pdf for more.

Read the full Boyle article here, then follow the link at the end to read Gray Cook's expansion on the concept.

Re: Joint mobility, joint stability
12-27-07 05:44 PM - Post#389284    

I've learned the hard way that one injury leads to others if not taken care of in short order (interesting how continued running on a sprained ankle eventually harmed my knees, then my hips... and weakened my ankle seemingly permanently).

These joints with flexibility also need some bit of stability as well (for too much flexibility & weakness in a joint can be a real drag as well).

2009 Motto: Thinking Positive, Being Positive "Start out easy & don't compete against anyone but yourself." -- Steve Reeves "...work up to the number of repetitions that you feel necessary to do the trick. Don't hold yourself down to any hidebound number of repetitions." -- George F. Jowett "Weight training is successful when you perservere." -- Mike Dayton

04-18-08 12:19 AM - Post#433257    

one-legged on a bosu ball is just peaches and cream for building the small stabilizer muscles in your knees and ankles. i had forgotten just how they were supposed to feel.

we fall apart very slowly, and it can sometimes be shocking once we discover the clue to put us back together fairly quickly.

Joint mobility, joint stability
04-18-08 02:47 AM - Post#433262    

• FoamRoller Said:

For the third (and last time to spare you further repetitions) I propagate for MBT shoes. Not because I sell then but because I use them. They do work wonders.

pixie

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

Re: Joint mobility, joint stability
04-18-08 02:10 PM - Post#433514    

Let me really freak you guys out:

Vibram 5-finger KSOs



(No, I haven't gone that far, but they did just get the MBTs in at my favorite local shoe store and I'm going down to try them today. If they have a pair I like, I'll get 'em and head off for an afternoon walk.)

04-18-08 02:12 PM - Post#433517    

Are those shoes for real?

Lucy "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

04-18-08 03:07 PM - Post#433537    

Wild, huh?

Apparently real. Those brave enough to try them give rave reviews.

04-18-08 03:11 PM - Post#433538    

I find toe socks terribly uncomfortable. I can't imagine what "toe shoes" would be like. Well, if you try them out, give us a review.

Lucy "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

04-18-08 03:15 PM - Post#433541    

• LucyNew Said:

Not me, NO WAY.

Do you suppose we can find another guinea pig? Maybe someone who'd take a picture of them in use... and not just the foot, but in action from the face down?

If they're expensive (and I'll bet they are), we could take up a collection. For a photo of one of the big guys around here trotting around in those... Sure thing... easy money.

04-18-08 03:24 PM - Post#433545    

I just googled them. They go for $50 to $90 depending on the model. They remind me of an episode of Married With Children. If memory serves, I think Al invented a pair of toe shoes.

Lucy "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Re: Joint mobility, joint stability
04-19-08 05:40 AM - Post#433697    

• Laree Said:

If so check so the model fits you well. It differs. But I'd take it very easy during the first days. The brain can get confused, the foot signals uneven terrain and the eye sees flat surface, it simply doesn't compute at the beginning and it feels pretty weird but I loved them right away. I think it was a wild experiment to experience that confusion but boy, was I dizzy. I had to sit down a couple of times when I walked in them back home home from the shop ca 2hours. But I didn't experience any training pain afterwards.

Also they are only for hard city surfaces (they definitely saved my life in Prague walking on hard cobbler stones during a whole week).

In terrain however, it'll be too much, there you need regular steady boots or just foot-no shoe.

pixie


http://www.swissmasaius.com/

I have the sport black (having a little trouble with the grip around the heel= too loose)
http://www.walkerswarehouse.com/store/categories.asp?Category_Code=brand_w m

I liked the orange ones but they discontinued them here. The items made in Asia fit differently than those made in good ol' Switzerland, also sizes can differ. They make even 'boot models'.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

04-20-08 07:17 AM - Post#433777    

Those shoes (MBT, not toe, lol) look like something I should have using when I was doing physical therapy for dizziness. I may have to check them out.

** Betsy **

04-20-08 07:06 PM - Post#433915    

I had visitors this week end and we spent three whole days touring the town, just walking. While they were complaining about pain in their back at the end of the day I was able to walk eight hours and not feel tired or feel any discomfort (back, legs or feet). For me the shoes work very well.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

Re: Joint mobility, joint stability
05-10-08 11:09 PM - Post#441033    

• Laree Said:

I tried on some FiveFinger shoes this morning and I loved them! the store didn't have my size in the ones I was interested in so they're ordering some in. i'll take pictures if i end up buying a pair.

BEAST MODE. NOW.

Re: Joint mobility, joint stability
05-11-08 11:31 AM - Post#441122    

No kidding! Wow. You are really OUT THERE.

Those shoes that Pixie recommended are very cool, the MBTs. They're also very expensive, like, more than two times the cost of most of my shoes. I found a site that sells last year's models in the $150 range. Here's the link, which includes a lot of good foot information if you scroll down.

05-11-08 12:22 PM - Post#441137    

I'm embarassed to say I bought the MBTs 4-5 years ago when I first started seeing them in certain catalogs, and they haven't been on my feet more than 10 times, tops.

You guys are enticing me to bust 'em out next time I go on a walk.

kim

05-11-08 12:36 PM - Post#441139    

Kim, I walked a lot last week while Dave was in the hospital... stood a lot, too. Those shoes were wonderful.

You do have to ease into the duration, though. As Pixie mentioned earlier, they take a little getting used to. I ran in mine a bit, just a few 100-yard jog/runs... very odd still.

If anyone happens to buy the MBTs off the site rather than trying them at a store, buy a half size larger than normal. These run small.

05-11-08 05:50 PM - Post#441190    

I'd say it is wise to try them on, or be sure (prior to purchase) that you can return or change them. I must stress that sizes varried (up to one size) depending on where the shoe was manufactured (smaller from Asia) and a little also depending on which model you choose. So do not thrust the number fully.

They are expensive but great on hard surfaces.

I've seen some old complaints (picture on the net) that the sole didn't last so I checked in the shop but they said with proper care and use there shouldn't be a problem. I had them since last autumn, and I use them frequently, so far so good.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

right for me
05-11-08 05:52 PM - Post#441192    

• Kim Said:

For me it was different, I put them on and walked in them out of the shop. It felt just right. My body loves them. I like the fluidity.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.