GET YOUR ENGINE RUNNING EFFICIENTLY

Why is it that we change our oil every 5,000 miles or so, visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings, attend annual physicals, arrange heating and air inspections biannually…the list goes on and on.  We spend considerable time being proactive to prevent problems down the road.  Imagine if we rotated and aligned our tires, replaced air filters but didn’t change the oil or abide fully by our manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. Our warranty would be null and void.

I have often wondered why no comparable guide exists for scheduled care to ensure optimal human performance.  We take better care of our vehicles than our irreplaceable bodies!  I imagine the day when individuals pursue annual posture and movement screenings to catch faulty alignments before they cause chaos on the body.  Optimal movement patterns decrease strain/sprain to joint, muscles, and tendons and promote efficiency. We could move easier, feel better, and thus stay active longer – equating to enhanced quality of life with decreased likelihood of disease and disability.

In comparison, your car gets an oil change every 5,000 miles or every 4 months.  In human terms: 10,000 average steps a day x 4 months =1,200,000 steps or 600 miles (average 2000 steps/mile).  I propose an annual movement/posture “tune up” and/or maintenance every 1800 miles/12 months/3,600,000 steps, whichever comes first.

Take initiative today and ask your therapist for a movement and posture analysis.  Get your engine running efficiently to reach your maximum lifetime mileage!

Melanie Humphries, PT, MPT, CMP, Cert DN

Certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment