**The side-of-knee pain that stops runners in their tracks** You've felt it — that sharp ache on the outside of your knee, usually striking mid-run when fatigue sets in. It might start as an annoyance, but push through it and it becomes unbearable. Welcome to IT band syndrome, the bane of runners ev...

**The hidden cause of your runner's knee, back pain, and sluggish times** You've heard of tight hamstrings. Tight calves. But when was the last time you thought about your hip flexors? If you're like most runners, probably never — until they start causing problems. Your hip flexors are a group of mu...

Pilates, an increasingly popular exercise regimen is known for its focus on strength, flexibility, and body awareness. You can find studios and gyms in almost all suburbs these days. But did you know that it has a rich history that traces back to the early 20th century? The Pilates method was develo...

**And no, they are not well-travelled muscles!** Global muscles, also known as prime movers or major muscles, are key muscles responsible for generating primary movements and providing the body with strength and power. These muscles are typically larger and situated closer to the body's core. They w...

**Controlling the pelvic 'dump'** The gluteus medius is a crucial muscle located in the buttocks. It plays a significant role in stabilizing and controlling the movement of the pelvis and hips. The muscle is responsible for abduction of the hip joint, which is the movement of lifting the leg out to...

**Meet the dura, and the reason we need to slide, glide and floss our nerves** **** The dura mater is a tough and protective membrane that surrounds and supports the nerves in the body, particularly in the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Think of it like a strong an...

The Feldenkrais Method is a holistic approach to movement and body awareness that aims to improve physical functioning. Developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli engineer and physicist, the method is grounded in principles of neuroscience, biomechanics, and psychology. It consists of two main compo...

**Grab a chair for 20 'sit to stands' per day (and, the slower the better!)** **** The 'sit to stand' exercise, also known as the 'squat to stand', cannot be any easier. This simple and quick exercise offers several benefits for overall health and well-being. It is used by many falls prevention prog...

Maintaining balance and preventing falls is a complicated and well-tuned machine. Balance involves a combination of sensory input, muscular control, and coordination. There are many 'systems' at play, and all must be in good working order to prevent those falls and to improve movement efficiency as...

**The magic of our fabulous fascia** **** Muscle fascia, also known as fascia or myofascia, refers to a type of connective tissue that surrounds and separates muscles and other structures in the body. It is a fibrous, sheet-like structure composed primarily of collagen, a strong protein that provide...