Posture and Technique
Evolution of The Pain Free Athlete
Changes are coming at The Pain Free Athlete! Most noticeably the website will be redesigned with an updated version launching this weekend and the newsletter distribution and blogs reducing to quarterly publication. These modifications are needed to free up some of my...
Classes to Balance Your Body and Mind
Imagine a class that combines yoga, Pilates, core training, body awareness, and breathwork. Then add exercises proven to improve alignment, balance, and function. Next, blend practices into the class that calm the nervous system and expose the mind to new perspectives...
3 Exercises to Relieve Neck Pain
This is the second blog in a two-part series on neck pain. Read the first blog: Neck Pain and Posture. This is a collaboration with Dr. Michael L. Rothman, M.D. Dr Rothman is a former orthopedic surgeon and Advanced Exercise Therapist (AET), certified by the Egoscue...
Neck Pain and Posture
Please enjoy this guest blog by Dr. Michael L. Rothman, M.D. Dr Rothman is a former orthopedic surgeon who now helps his patients overcome chronic pain using posture alignment therapy. He is an Advanced Exercise Therapist (AET), certified by the Egoscue Institute, who...
Which shoes do I recommend?
Shoes, shoes, shoes! There are so many to choose from, making it hard to select the right pair. As a result, I am often asked for advice on this purchase. So, here’s what I usually say: Your shoes provide the interface between your feet and the ground. Good posture...
End Chronic Knee Pain Through Alignment
We learned everything we needed to know about our skeleton in kindergarten . . . Recall a section of the lyrics from the children’s song Dem Bones: “The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone, . . . The leg bone's connected to the knee bone, The knee bone's connected...
3 Gentle Back Extension Exercises
Back extension is a normal human movement! However, doing back extension exercises, particularly of the lumbar spine (low back), is not universally practiced or accepted. In fact, people have strong opinions about this issue. I have had students refuse to do these...
Clamshells and Balancing the Gluteus Medius
The clamshell is a classic exercise that’s typically given to strengthen the gluteus medius through external hip rotation. Unfortunately, many people often perform the exercise without proper positioning, muscle integration, and breathing. Something I often tell my...
Membership Website Launching in October
I am excited to announce the pre-launch of The Pain Free Athlete membership website. The site officially launches on October 1, 2021. The creation of this website is one of the benefits of Covid-19. A year and a half ago, I moved all of my in-person classes to Zoom....
How to Reach to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Pain
As humans we are often reaching directly in front of our bodies to do tasks with our hands. For instance, we type and use a mouse on our computers; chop, cook and clean in the kitchen; text on our phones; eat our meals; and much, much more. But have you ever...
The Connection Between Neck Pain and Breathing
Although the diaphragm and intercostals are the primary muscles of inspiration, several neck muscles play an accessory role in bringing air into the body. Furthermore, when these primary muscles of inhalation are not working optimally, or you are breathing heavily...
Sciatica: 3 Exercises to Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain
Sciatica is a literal pain in the butt! I have suffered from sciatica on and off for years. I feel it in my left glute, and when it gets really bad, the pain extends down my hamstring on the back of my upper thigh. If you’ve had it, then you know that it can be quite...
What does it mean to be a Pain Free Athlete?
You are an athlete! An athlete is anyone who desires to be active and challenge themselves. In my definition, competition and organized sports are not required to be an athlete. However, in the era of Covid-19, there aren’t many, if any, events to participate in...
Home Office Setup and Workday Exercises
Admit it! You’ve done this, or sat in a similar position, while working at home recently. I know I have. In the last couple of months, everything has become virtual--classes, meetings, family get-togethers, workshops, even happy hours. We are spending more time than...
How to Take and Analyze Posture Photos
How aligned is your posture? When striving for improved wellness in any area of life, it is always a good idea to have a baseline. For example: before starting a medication for high blood pressure, you measure your current readings. When beginning a healthy nutrition...
Meet Jessica!
I believe we are designed to move and play throughout our entire lives. I don’t buy into the idea that we should slow down with age, or that pain, injury and physical restrictions are unavoidable aspects of growing older. So, here’s my philosophy. Our mental mindset, combined with the physical position and condition of the body that we bring into any activity (from walking to skiing to everything in between), determines our chance of hurting when we move. If we have a positive mindset, and if we have proper positioning and move with correct body biomechanics, all activities should be possible.
This is the goal I have for everyone: to overcome pain and limitations so you can Stay in the Game for Life!
Visit The Pain Free Athlete website for additional resources and opportunities.
