Dynamic Warm Ups and Active Rehabilitation

Hi Jon,

I came across your website and had a question. I was wondering in active rehabilitation as a kinesiologist, do you include dynamic warm-ups as well? Or is it only for non-injured individuals for sport performance? Is it bad to perform dynamic warm-up exercises? Should an injured individual just warm up on cardio for 5-10 mins? or include dynamic stretching exercises as well?

Thanks,

Davin

Hi Davin,

Thanks for your question.

A general warmup (cardio 5-10 min) is a great way to increase the core body temperature. But it doesn't nothing in regards to mobility promotion or muscle activation. I do include dynamic warm ups in my active rehabilitation sessions, but the exercises I choose for the dynamic warm up depends on the client's pain levels, current functional state and exercise experience etc. I wouldn't have a 65 year old grandmother perform dynamic leg swings in the frontal plane, but I might get a 50 year old male doing walking prisoner lunges. I would also incorporate muscle activation exercises into their warm up, e.g. supine glute bridges or Cook hip lifts to help with glute max activation and hip mobility.

I hope that answers your question,

Jon-Erik Kawamoto

CJSF 90.1 FM - Health Matters Interview

On Tuesday, February 19, 2008, I was interviewed on the CJSF 90.1 FM Health Matters segment.

To check out the interview, go to http://www.cjsf.bc.ca/pguide/rss.php?ID=89 and http://www.cjsf.ca/pguide/rss.php?ID=75.

Download the mp3s and use your iPod and music player to listen to them. The interview starts at about 7 minutes on the first mp3. The interview was cutoff and continues on the second mp3.

Check it out!

Thanks for listening,

Jon-Erik Kawamoto

Interview with Grant Kim, soft tissue therapist and Chiropractor

Here is a long overdue interview with soft tissue therapist and Chiropractor, Grant Kim.

JK: Hi Grant, thanks for taking the time to do this interview for JKConditioning. For those that don't know you, tell us about yourself, qualifications and services.

GK: My name is Grant Kim. I have been a chiropractor for almost 9 years. For 8 years, I have been in practice in Coquitlam, where I grew up. I received my B.Sc in Microbiology & Immunology from McGill University and my Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West. I am a certified provider of Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.) and Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization(S.A.S.T.M.). Most of our patients come into our clinic seeking soft tissue therapy (A.R.T.) for their sports and musculoskeletal injuries.In our clinics, we also have Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Physiotherapists and Pilates. I have found that most clients can benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach to their care.

JK: What type of soft tissue therapy do you perform? What is active release therapy and how can the general population benefit from it? How about weekend warriors or elite athletes?

GK: In our clinic, I use mainly Active Release Techniques(A.R.T.) to treat soft tissue injuries. A.R.T. is a patented soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Back pain, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, rotator cuff problems, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee pain, and tennis elbow are just some of the conditions that can benefit from ART. These conditions are often a result of overused muscles.

Another new soft tissue technique I perform, is a form of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization known as S.A.S.T.M. In this technique, specialized instruments are used to break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. The ergonomic design of these instruments allows me to locate and break down restrictions that I wouldn't be able to detect with my fingers. The scar tissue creates sound waves/vibrations that can be felt through the instrument. In a way, we "re-injure" a dysfunctional soft tissue structure in order for it to heal, this time, properly. While I also perform spinal manipulation (adjustments), I have found that soft tissue problems usually are the underlying cause of most spinal and biomechanical disorders. Our goal is to fix the problem quickly (usually 2-6 treatments) and have the patient return to normal activity. While A.R.T. has been well known in the amateur and professional sports world for over 15 years, there are now more providers using A.R.T. to treat anyone with overused, repetitively strained muscles. I have treat past and future Olympians, weekend warriors as well as people who spend all day sitting in front of a computer. Anyone with overworked and repetitively used muscles can benefit from A.R.T.

JK: How important is strength training in keeping the body healthy and functioning properly? Will a strength training program complement your services? For example, at maintaining pelvic alignment?

GK: Constantly overused muscles eventually become chronically weak muscles. Our goal is to remove scar tissue/adhesions that are getting in the way of proper movement and function of soft tissues and joints. Once this is accomplished, the patient needs to focus on proper strength and conditioning to prevent reoccurance of their problems. A.R.T. and proper strength training can help to keep old injuries from coming back and more importantly, prevent future new injuries. For example, with a patient with malaligned pelvic issues, we can release the hip flexors, gluteals, hamstrings, quadriceps and ensure the sacro-iliac joint is mobile. I would then refer them to someone like you(Jon) to help them strengthen to maintain proper alignment.

JK: What is the most common problems you see in the clinic?

GK: Like any chiropractic clinic, we see our fair share of low back, neck and headache pain clients. However, the last couple of years, we've had alot more athletes (in particular, runners) come in for care. Plantar fasciitis, Ilio-tibial band syndrome, shin splints and achilles tendinitis are some of the more common problems the runners/triathletes need help with. Some have had to stop training because of their pain. With A.R.T., they can usually return to their activity/sport right away. If it's a problem we can't help with, we will do our best to refer to someone who can (physiotherapist, RMT, kinesiologist, acupuncture).

JK: Where can people get a hold of you? Do you have a website they can visit?

GK: My practice is in Coquitlam. I also work one day a week in New Westminster and North Vancouver. You can go to www.spineandsport.ca to get our contact information. For more information about A.R.T., visit www.activerelease.com. For more information about S.A.S.T.M., visit www.sastm.com.

JK: Thanks for the great interview Grant. I'm sure the JKConditioning readers learned a thing or two!

Thanks for reading,

Jon-Erik Kawamoto