Engineers tend to have a lot of fun in their lifetimes. I know this because my late step father, Lawrence, was a quintessential one. A microwave engineer throughout the majority of his career, and a prolific doodler of napkins, the man would be in his mid-seventies if he were still with us. The point of … Continue reading WHY YOUR LIFESTYLE CAN BE YOUR BIGGEST BARRIER TO YOUR COMFORT
Author: noahharrisondpt
Physical therapist, writer. This is my personal professional site.
FIRST WORLD ABUSE… THE PROBLEM OF MODERN CONVENIENCE.
Compared to all previous times there is a shocking lack of physical demands in what characterizes our daily lives. Intensive, myopic, fine motor, visual and cerebral demands with a lack of prolonged or varying physical challenges make up our modern days.
WHY SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
Often times the folks that I will work with have endured a great deal of pain, problems or limitations for some length of time. For some years, for others decades, and for other still these things have been present essentially their whole life. And when a problem is unrelenting, and at times seemingly out of … Continue reading WHY SOMETIMES YOU SHOULD COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS
WHY YOUR RIGHT SIDE WILL NEVER BE LIKE YOUR LEFT
The majority of folks that I will meet tend to have issues that either will not go away, or just keep coming back. Yes, at times these issues are due to some injury that occurred at some point in the past, that perhaps they were never truly able to recover from. However, that actually trends … Continue reading WHY YOUR RIGHT SIDE WILL NEVER BE LIKE YOUR LEFT
TUNING TENSION… HOW TO LET IT GO
Previously I wrote an article where I mapped out ways in which you can elicit reflexive increases in muscular tension by simply focusing on what you do at three places in your body. You can read it in full HERE. This article is the other side of the coin... How to reflexively tune down tension … Continue reading TUNING TENSION… HOW TO LET IT GO
TUNING TENSION… HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MUSCLE
There are two aspects to what dictates the strength of a muscle... how big it is and how hard it can contract at any given moment, with any given movement. Keeping that in mind there are then two ways you can train a muscle to become stronger: Make it bigger and give it more leverage. … Continue reading TUNING TENSION… HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR MUSCLE
WHY SQUATTING FULLY TO THE GROUND SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL
There are few basic movements in our modern western world that challenge more individuals than a full-depth squat. Yes, I will see plenty of folks that cannot touch their toes, who cannot steady on one leg, or perhaps not be able to scratch their back. But it is the simple act of squatting fully to … Continue reading WHY SQUATTING FULLY TO THE GROUND SHOULD NOT BE A BIG DEAL
WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE TREADMILL AND GO OUTSIDE
When you live as far north of equator as I and all the rest of Maine does, you have to learn to both roll and contend with the winters that accompany it. During this time of year the days steadily grow shorter and darker, and despite all the shifts that are coming with climate change … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD DITCH THE TREADMILL AND GO OUTSIDE
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
Balance is a concept that is often very misunderstood in our culture, especially by those looking to have a bit more of it in their lives. And it seems that those folks make up the majority these days… As it applies to your steadiness, balance is talked about in fitness and wellness magazines, books, blogs, … Continue reading IF YOU WANT TO HAVE BETTER BALANCE, STOP TRYING TO BE SO RIGID
IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
If you were to walk into a local group exercise class, or watch a video online where something similar is being mapped out for the masses, if there is some squatting, lunging or jumping going on then you would likely hear some pretty unhelpful advice. "Don't let your knees go forward" "Don't let your knees … Continue reading IF YOUR KNEES BOTHER YOU, FOCUS ON YOUR FEET AND SEE WHAT REMAINS
HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING
Very commonly I will be helping someone work their way through some basic movement, and a common problem comes up… They do not know if they are "doing it right". And while they do not always say it in that manner, what I do tend to hear is… "Should I keep my knees from falling … Continue reading HOW TO GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD WITH STRENGTH TRAINING
WHY YOUR EXPECTATIONS MAKE OR BREAK YOUR SUCCESS
Whenever I work with someone, I always search to understand them. Not just their situation as it relates to what brought them through my door, but truly them as a person and most especially what is important to them. What they value, what they care about, what defines "good" for them. This helps me understand … Continue reading WHY YOUR EXPECTATIONS MAKE OR BREAK YOUR SUCCESS
WHY STRETCHING WILL NOT HELP THOSE STIFF AND ACHING HIPS
Stiff hips are a pretty limiting thing, and when you are in possession of one or two of them you know very well how small the sandbox of your daily possibility can become. Now there are always situations that are the exceptions to the rule, but by and large the situation of a hip that … Continue reading WHY STRETCHING WILL NOT HELP THOSE STIFF AND ACHING HIPS
HOW YOUR JAW AND EYES HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR COMFORT AND MOBILITY
One of the more common things that any person will tell me they want more of in their life is comfort and flexibility. Ease and freedom… The ability to pursue what they want to, when and how they want to, with the least amount of resistance. Now, while we are not always going to have … Continue reading HOW YOUR JAW AND EYES HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR COMFORT AND MOBILITY
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID MIRRORS WITH EXERCISE
Prior to opening my own private practice I worked in a few difference settings, and each of those settings helped me learn what I sensed a space needed to be for folks to thrive in. Unfortunately, as it often is the case a great deal of these lessons where also what I learned a space … Continue reading WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID MIRRORS WITH EXERCISE
HOW SCREENS TEND TO MESS US UP AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
You know, despite all of its comforts and leisure, first world living can pretty rough on us. The human body and brain has not evolved very much beyond what it has been for the last 50,000 years, regardless if the First Industrial Revolution occured 250 years ago, and the Third barely 50 years from today. … Continue reading HOW SCREENS TEND TO MESS US UP AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
WHY A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS IS TERRIBLE
It has been said that our loved ones often know us better than we often know ourselves. Yes, we are all very much isolated in our own heads, bodies and most especially our perceptions…but the significant others in our lives have a vantage point of us that we will never have privy to. And we … Continue reading WHY A MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS IS TERRIBLE
WHY FLIP FLOPS TEND TO MESS US UP
Over a decade ago my wife and I hiked a portion of the Maine Huts and Trails. It was early March I believe, and there was plenty of snow on the ground. so since neither of us had, or really knew how to cross country ski, we opted to snowshoe it. Yes, I know that … Continue reading WHY FLIP FLOPS TEND TO MESS US UP
DEGENERATION IS NORMAL AND NOT ALWAYS A PROBLEM
You know, progress at times can be a double edged sword. Probably the best example of this would be the effects we can observe from all the progress in technology we have had in the last 150 years. In the case of our bodies, progress in western medicines understanding of the inner workings of our … Continue reading DEGENERATION IS NORMAL AND NOT ALWAYS A PROBLEM
WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE STUBBORNLY STIFF SHOULDERS
Shoulders get tight and achy for a lot of folks. This is for a lot of reasons, including that fact that our shoulders are a place that many of us hold stress. Since our modern world doesn't ask us to reach very far away from our body, the problem can go largely unnoticed until it … Continue reading WHAT TO DO ABOUT THOSE STUBBORNLY STIFF SHOULDERS
WHY ALL EXERCISE IS JOINT FRIENDLY
All exercise is potentially joint friendly. No single approach or exercise can truly make the claim to be more joint friendly than any other. Why? Because cartilage has no blood vessels, and instead relies on diffusion for nutrition. Sponging…also known as Load and Motion.
HOW TO STOP SPRAINING YOUR ANKLES
It truly is a blessing to live in a place like New England with all that it offers throughout the year. And while time outdoors is an absolutely wonderful thing, we may find ourselves occasionally a bit challenged navigating the uneven and unpredictable ground that is New England as it moves through the four seasons. … Continue reading HOW TO STOP SPRAINING YOUR ANKLES
HOW TO TOUCH YOUR TOES LEGALLY
Whenever I meet someone for the first time we will often go through a little movement screen where I get to know how the person generally moves around. Truly it is just me watching them do the basics; a series of six or so simple movements that are the bare minimum for a good life. … Continue reading HOW TO TOUCH YOUR TOES LEGALLY
YOU ARE BUILT TO COMPENSATE IN SOME VERY PREDICTABLE WAYS
A little over a decade ago a book came out that not only had a catchy title, but it also made some compelling arguments that questioned a lot of common assumptions around both shoe wear, and the limits of the human body as it relates to endurance. It was called "Born to Run", and while … Continue reading YOU ARE BUILT TO COMPENSATE IN SOME VERY PREDICTABLE WAYS
WHAT GARDENING CAN TEACH US ABOUT OUR BODIES
During the warmer months here in New England, a lot of us tend to enjoy getting our hands dirty in the garden… and with that at times comes aches and pains from all the prolonged awkwardness that gardening seems to ask for. After all, it is not like it is very realistic to expect anyone … Continue reading WHAT GARDENING CAN TEACH US ABOUT OUR BODIES
WHY SOME FIND IT SO HARD TO CHANGE THEIR POSTURE
When you read or hear the term Bad Posture, what comes to mind? Likewise, what comes to mind when you read or hear the term Good Posture? There are few concepts that have as much social pressure, and with it social power as Posture. Despite that, it is probably one of the more misunderstood concepts … Continue reading WHY SOME FIND IT SO HARD TO CHANGE THEIR POSTURE
WHY YOUR NECK PAIN WILL NOT GO AWAY AND HOW TO CHANGE THAT
How is your neck feeling? I have to tell you, despite folks referring to a problem that they are struggling to deal with as being a pain in their backside, the place I most often observe it knotting up is their neck. Sometimes it spreads down and out into the shoulders, other times upwards into … Continue reading WHY YOUR NECK PAIN WILL NOT GO AWAY AND HOW TO CHANGE THAT
HOW TO FIX WRIST PAIN
With wrist pain there are often some very simple underlying factors that are feeding into the problem, and if they are addressed a chunk of the time the wrist pain is sharply reduced. If not eliminated…
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR ELBOW PAIN
Regardless of the season here in New England, a lot of folks end up at times doing some pretty hefty work taking care of house and home. Perhaps your yard or house, if you have one, is a little like mine. In the fall there is often some pretty significant leaf clean up, in the … Continue reading SIMPLE SOLUTIONS FOR ELBOW PAIN
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT SHOE FOR YOU
I talk a lot with folks about shoes. A lot. Sometimes they start the conversation because they struggle with finding shoes that work for them. Other times I bring it up because perhaps what they tend to favor is not serving them, and making some different choices is going to help their situation. Regardless, shoes … Continue reading HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT SHOE FOR YOU
STOP SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT CHAIR
If you are like most folks, your days and weeks involve an enormous amount tasks that have one major thing in common. Sitting. We sure do tend to do a lot of it these days don't we? We sit to work, sit to travel, sit to eat, sit to be entertained, sit to relax, sit … Continue reading STOP SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT CHAIR
YOUR PAIN IS NOT A PROBLEM, IT IS A REQUEST
Pain is one of the main reasons anyone reaches out my way. In particular pain that won't go away or just keeps coming back. Somewhere along the way I became the guy in the corner of the village that tends to helps with those sorts of things. So if pain is one of the main … Continue reading YOUR PAIN IS NOT A PROBLEM, IT IS A REQUEST
HOW TO STOP CLENCHING AND GRINDING YOUR TEETH
Do you clench or grind your teeth? Have you tried mouth guards, massage, or other treatments with little or no lasting relief? If so, then getting to the root of why you are clenching to begin with is a big factor you need to address. So why do we clench or grind our teeth? Some … Continue reading HOW TO STOP CLENCHING AND GRINDING YOUR TEETH