GRAVITYFIT

Renuka wrote an earlier blog this year called “It’s all about the curves”. Make sure you read it. I have to write this follow up blog emphasizing the important and accessible technology called Gravity Fit. This was invented by Dr. Carolyn Richardson as Australian physiotherapist and researcher, who has spent her career studying the spinal curves and how to turn on the core to support them. 

I have been a PT for 32 years now and know that “we” as a society are in BIG trouble, muscular-skeletally speaking (one thing at a time) due to our posture and poor ability to support our curves. Dr. Richardson knew this well and promised that she had something in mind to help this and it is here!  “GRAVITY FIT” 

Renuka and I have had the pleasure to study with her, learn the system and we want to share it with you.

I have been using it, as has my husband and all my friends and their children. It is a simple system and yes looks a little funny but it is based on research done by an AUTHORITY in the field. Among Dr. Richardson’s, impressive bio is the work she did with the European Space Agency, where they shared research to learn about how to help the astronauts with the problem of losing 50% of their muscle -all the core muscles -while in space. The movers remain causing imbalances and yes, pain. Well, the same thing is happening to the seated worker and slumped walker, gym goer, even athletes and definitely to our children. 

I have been quoting Carolyn for years. “ We are turning into jellyfish”! Muscular skeletal pain is at an all time high!. 

Dr. Richardson has given us the solution and we have incorporated it into our practice and have it available for anyone who wants to set up an appointment to get the system and learn how to use it. There is NOTHING else like this and I can confidently say that we don’t have a better solution. Certainly, telling people to sit up straight, does not work.

Copyright © 2016 GravityFit

Wearing the Gravity fit tools while walking, doing exercise and even while sitting at the desk can recharge your core, like recharging your cellphone and keep you injury and pain free. 

Call to reserve your Gravity Fit System and learn how to use it. 

Ann Duffy, MA, PT
Wearing Gravity Cap
212-402-5430

Start This Spring Right: Be Active & Healthy!

With the weather getting warmer and more favorable to outdoor activity, this is a great time to start practicing healthy habits by being physically active. Physical Therapists prescribe exercises to address dysfunctions in an individual’s body. We rehabilitate patients from ailment or injury, as well as, give guidance on what patients should do to prevent a recurrence or new injury altogether by finding muscle imbalances and faulty movement patterns. Exercise can help eliminate or ease complaints of pain, restore normal biomechanical movement, and increase functional ability. A comprehensive exercise routine can help foster all the aforementioned with the method of payment being consistency!

Although doctor referred patients are given a prescription to seek Physical Therapy services, I believe for a majority of cases the patients' truest prescription for health is exercise! This theory also holds true for the general public including those with or without a disease or physical aliment. As a Health Care Provider, Physical Therapist and Health Fitness Specialist, it is my absolute duty to promote the medicinal benefits that a consistent exercise regimen presents. These benefits include decreasing the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Another important exercise-induced health benefit that directly relates to Orthopedic Physical Therapy (a sector of physical therapy practice at D&B) is the preservation of bone mass that comes along with consistent exercise. When bone mass is kept healthy, it negates or delays the potential for osteoarthritic conditions to flourish. Common osteoarthritic complaints in orthopedic physical therapy tend to be back pain, neck pain, knee pain, and shoulder pain. If your bones stay strong and healthy, your risk for joint pain decreases markedly.

Everyone can benefit from being physically active. For what it's worth, I practice what I preach and try to get others to follow my lead. Personally, I have created a fitness challenge for myself for the month of April, of which I perform some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for each day in the 30-day month of April. I named the effort “#30four30.” 30 (30 minutes)---four ([for] The Month of April is 4, The 4^th month of the Year)---30 (30 days).  I have gotten friends, family, and patients to join me on this journey. It's a great way to stay active, motivated, and to become and remain healthy.

At Duffy & Bracken we offer our patients programs that help them begin their fitness journey the right way and continue it without injury. Our GRAVITY Small-Group Personal Training classes offer a safe effective total body workout in just 30 minutes. It’s great for all ages and fitness levels. Invest in your health by starting your fitness challenge now! Get out there and exercise, now and forever! It's an inexpensive way to feel expensive! You're guaranteed to do a world for your mind, body, and pockets.

Clifford Civil, PT, DPT, ACSM-HFS

What's Your 401 (k) Health Portfolio?

We are constantly being warned about SAVING....saving for retirement, saving for an emergency, saving for unknown medical expenses. Most individuals over 30 are warned to start saving TODAY  to ensure a nest egg at 65, as social security may be non-existent at their retirement.

The size of your present investment will determine the quality of your retirement life!

Our previous blog talked about changes in healthcare and changes in the way we should look at health. This one is no different.

Lets look at health as an investment; the same way we look at stocks.

If you invest 30 minutes 3 times a week in exercise, research shows it's enough to ensure a healthy cardio vascular system. So let's name this investment "aerobic stock".

If you remove trans fats, fried foods, processed foods, fast foods from your diet and switch to home-cooked and healthy green meals; research shows it can reduce your risk of cholesterol, CVS disease, and high blood pressure. So let's name this investment "diet stock".

If you maintain a healthy lifestyle, don't smoke, don't consume excessive alcohol and get enough sleep, research shows you reduce your risk of liver, lung and heart disease. So let's name this investment "choice stock".

But have you ever thought about "MOVEMENT STOCK" ?

You may get to 65 with a strong heart, no cholesterol and no liver disease but they may seem quite useless if you cannot move!

No one is taking this "mobility stock" as a serious contender to their overall health portfolio.

Hence investment is low.

Here are some risk factors that are indicators of a poor mobility investment:

1. Can't cross legs to tie shoe laces (men) and (women) needing to sit down to strap shoes or put on stockings.

2. Neck and low back stiffness upon waking up or going to bed.

3. Headaches - not normal- even it triggered by stress.

4. Can't bend or stoop down to pick up things from floor or need help getting up from floor.

5. My favorite - POSTURE- your posture slouched, stiff or unaware is enough to breakdown the entire movement system.

While you may say I go to pilates, yoga, gym etc. therefore by default my investment is solid.Think Again! If you get a blood test every year even if you go the gym and eat healthy, why are you not assessing to see if your movement system is optimal or headed to breakdown?

Prior to private practice in NYC; I was a Physical Therapist to professional athletes world wide including tennis stars like Sharapova and the Williams sisters. The biggest reward was not having a million dollar athlete miss a match due to a movement breakdown. Preventing an injury is much better than rehab -- as it takes time away from life!

So I urge you big apple residents --- assess your movement stock by scheduling an appointment with a physical therapist- as living in the city is a professional sport!

Renuka Pinto, MPT, PGDR, CSCS, CES

Duffy & Bracken, Physical Therapy

-Serving Downtown NYC for over 24 Years!!