Balance is the key to achieving long term health and having the strong functioning body that you desire.

ELDOA's are a series of de-coaptative (Space giving) longitudinal stretching exercises that can target the spine and more specifically the vertebral segments of the spine which balance and free the spine. Balance is the key to achieving long term health and having the functioning body that you desire. To a degree most forms of exercise help create balance, but they fall short because they lack the specificity that your body craves. You see, the body is complex. We have over 600 muscles, over 300 bones, a ton of joints and all of our internal organs, nerves, arteries and systems: nervous, endocrine, cardio vascular etc. that make up our body structure. They are all connected by fascia (connective tissue), and all these muscles, bones and organs have a specific function (job) and place to be.

When you move your body, this movement effects your whole being. Everything you do is an education (an exercise) to your body. When considering starting any exercise program, you must assess your strengths as well as your limitations in movement. For example, if you feel pain in your knees when you squat, can't extend your arms above your head while keeping your back straight, or fall off balance while lunging forward, this is your clue that these movements need to be worked on.

Please don't be fooled into workouts that use these movements but don't require that you have good form. When you are relying only on workout machines, cardio equipment, and attending group classes with no structure for your fitness routine, you will be moving your body improperly and becoming more susceptible to injury.

Something I hear a lot is "Don't worry, I modify (chosen movement) to make sure I don't hurt myself." While it is important to be aware of not hurting yourself during an exercise, if you are modifying a movement, you are also teaching your body to compensate and damaging your body. Now when you are in the "real world," those compensated patterns will show up when it is difficult for you to get in the car or strain your back when you twist and bend over in your office chair to pick something up.

“Structure Dictates Function” Andrew Still Father of Osteopathy

Our lifestyles and the fact that we are living longer adversely impacts our spines. If you are not actively supporting the health of your spine, it is just a matter of time before the spine succumbs and becomes symptomatic (exhibits pain) to these forces and you will start to lose the functioning of your body. No one is exempt from these forces! Performing ELDOA on a regular basis will counter these effects and help keep the spine healthy and useful.