Strength Sensei Webinar Review
Mobility Methods
A look at the most popular methods to get your body moving in the right directions
To reach the highest levels of athletic performance or simply to live a life without pain, you need to take care of yourself. For many, yoga is the answer to staying healthy and moving well, and its popularity is testament to its value. But there is much more that can be done, and often needs to be done.
Charles R. Poliquin spent a considerable amount of time studying methods to improve mobility. One of his first was ART, an acronym for Active Release Techniques ™ Treatment. It’s a method that this webinar presenter Jance Footit is certified in as a provider. Here is the link to this program:
https://strengthsenseiinc.com/product/mobility-methods/
In the 90s, our Strength Sensei had suffered a nagging shoulder injury caused by a major surgery. In 1996, he heard about a revolutionary soft tissue technique invented by chiropractor, Air Force Academy graduate, and former jet test pilot Dr. Mike Leahy. ART is a method to treat alterations in tissue tension and texture to increase range of motion.
Wanting to experience this method first-hand, he flew to Colorado Springs, Colorado and got a hands-on treatment from Dr. Leahy.
After just five (“it’s a good hurt”) minutes and having Dr. Leahy dig into his armpit to address the muscles and nerves that were not functioning correctly, Charles R. Poliquin became a believer. He experienced a dramatic increase in his range of motion, was nearly pain free, and during his next workout saw his bench press improve by 35 pounds! He later flew back to Colorado Springs to learn ART and become a provider, and eventually moved there to work alongside Dr. Leahy at his sports medicine facility and gym.
ART is great, but there are many other mobility methods available. The Mobility Methods webinar provides a comprehensive review of many of the most popular.
Coach Footit divides his presentation into two parts. The first discusses mobility methods commonly administered by a health care provider. Examples include massage, ART, Fascial Abrasion Technique™ or FAT-Tool, Graston Technique®, and Dry Needling. The second part discusses mobility methods that can be administered yourself, including Foam Rolling, Tempering, Percussion Tools, PNF, and Mashing.
Coach Jance Footit demonstrating two soft-tissue methods to enhance mobility, Mashing (left) and Percussion.
Consider the FAT-Tool and the Graston Technique. These treatments use soft-tissue tools a practitioner slides over the skin to release adhesions, adhesions that can restrict movement. A provider is needed to administer the treatment, especially on areas of the back, but it’s possible to learn the techniques and self-administer these methods on many bodyparts.
Another health provider technique is dry needling, which has become especially popular with athletic trainers and physical therapists. Like acupuncture, dry needling uses needles but is based on the neurophysiology of trigger points (rather than meridians) to stimulate nerve roots with electricity. This treatment reduces muscle spasms and increases microcirculation to promote healing.
Stretching methods are extensively covered, one of the most popular being the Fascial Stretch Therapy ™ that was developed by Ann and Chris Fredericks. Fascia is a tissue that connects muscles, nerves, bones, and other tissues. During a treatment, a practitioner moves the client’s limbs through various position to stretch the fascia and muscles and restore mobility.
Before investing in these soft tissue treatments, and to help you determine which treatment is right for you (and your budget), check out the Strength Sensei Mobility Methods webinar and get your body moving in the right directions! (TSS)
