Postural Alignment For Athletes

As an athlete, what do I gain by incorporating Postural Healing into my training program?

Better Race Times – Align the joints, allow the proper muscles to do their intended jobs, and the result is more efficient movement. More efficient movement means requiring less energy to create the same output. The extra energy can be used elsewhere to create more speed, power and endurance.

Increased Range of Motion – If you don’t have full range of motion you will not be able to implement technique without compensating elsewhere in the body. When we force range of motion we create unnatural movement, which eventually leads to joint deterioration and muscle pulls. Example benefits include:

• Increased ability to get into and maintain a better position on the bike
• Increased ability to create smoother, more controlled and efficient swim stroke
• Increased ability to get a healthy hip extension in your run

Longevity in the Sport – When the joints are aligned we save them from constant grinding and friction. Our bodies don’t wear down. We can play longer, harder, and have fun doing it!

Prevent Injury – Injuries are less likely to occur when our body is functioning in balance. Minimizing compensation and dysfunction creates an environment in which the proper muscles are stabilizing and working in an efficient manner to create movement that is balanced, controlled and agile. When our structure is aligned we are able to create more speed, strength and flexibility.

Faster Recovery from Injury – If an injury happens, an aligned body is naturally able to regenerate and heal itself. A body that is unbalanced will slow the healing process.

Be Active and Pain Free No Matter What Your Age – Years after you are done competing you still want to live, play and be active and pain free. Right?

Improved Breathing and Recovery – When aligned with chest open, shoulder and head back in position, we more efficiently bring oxygen in and distribute it throughout our system.

For example: A dysfunctional right hip changes the mechanics of the knee and ankle when the foot strikes the ground. The joints lose their right-angle function and stability just long enough to blow out an ACL or sprain an ankle. Often, an athlete can move to one side more effectively than to the other. This isn’t by accident. A body will move better TOWARD the dysfunctional side. The functional side provides better stability and strength to initiate quick movement.

Think of the advantage for an athlete to understand this!

If an athlete’s dominant shoulder is dysfunctional, they can quickly develop symptoms.Typical examples are rotator cuff injuries in baseball players or chronic tennis elbow.

Insights:“There is nothing wrong with weight training per se, but it has to be offered in a balanced program that recognizes the body’s bilateral functions and unitary design.”

“To understand what’s happening anatomically in the center court at Wimbledon you have to remember that proper weight transfer, which is essential in all sports, can only be accomplished from a balanced position.”

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” – Confucius