Join us as Dr. Bill Harris, a distinguished researcher with over 40 years of expertise in the omega-3 field, unravels the mysteries of fatty acids and their vital role in our health. Together, we shed light on the complex landscape of fats, including triglycerides, saturated, and unsaturated fats, and particularly focus on the essential nature of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fats. Dr. Harris shares his personal journey into this fascinating field, offering insights into the molecular structure and distinctive characteristics of omega-3 fatty acids.
Discover the profound health benefits that omega-3s, especially those derived from fish oils, can provide in promoting long-term well-being. We tackle misconceptions about supplements, such as blood thinning fears, and emphasize the non-threatening nature of typical doses. Learn how a diet rich in omega-3s is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, highlighting their significance as essential nutrients. We also address the challenges in distinguishing the benefits of omega-3s from other healthy lifestyle factors, underscoring the need for comprehensive research to fully understand their impact.
Explore the potential of omega-3s across different life stages, from pregnancy to old age, and their role in mitigating risks of autoimmune diseases and cognitive decline. Dr. Harris introduces the Omega-3 Index, a groundbreaking tool for assessing heart disease risk, and shares practical advice on supplementation, including the importance of testing. As we look to the future, the conversation shifts to innovative sources of omega-3s, such as genetically modified seed oils, which promise a sustainable alternative to traditional fish-based options. This episode is a treasure trove of information for anyone eager to enhance their health using the power of omega-3 fatty acids.
Have you heard of somatic movement? It’s gaining popularity in the fitness and wellness world, with celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Gisele Bündchen, and Naomi Watts embracing this mindful way of moving. But despite its recent rise in fame, the somatic movement has deep roots and has been evolving for decades.
When I was around 12, I noticed one of my teachers always moved with an effortless grace. Curious, I jokingly asked if he was sneaking up on students to catch them misbehaving. He laughed and explained that he used to have chronic back pain but had overcome it through the Alexander Technique. This method, pioneered by Frederick Matthias Alexander, an Australian actor, originated from his discovery that better posture improved his voice projection. Eventually, Alexander began teaching others how to relieve pain and even coached prominent figures, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in public speaking.
Alexander’s teachings inspired Moshe Feldenkrais, who expanded on this work to develop the Feldenkrais Method. Feldenkrais’s unique approach to movement later influenced Dr. Thomas Hanna, a neurologist who revolutionized the field by addressing how habitual neural patterns create chronic tension and pain. Hanna’s work birthed Somatic Education, a system designed to “reset” the nervous system and restore muscles to their natural resting state.
Understanding the Science: How Somatic Movement Works
At its core, somatic movement addresses the neural patterns that govern muscle tension. Dr. Hanna introduced the concept of Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA), a condition where the body “forgets” how to relax certain muscles due to subconscious adaptations. He identified three primary reflexes contributing to SMA:
The Landau Reflex (Green Light Response): This reflex, emerging in toddlers, activates the extensor muscles of the back to propel the body forward. When overused, it leads to chronic tension, creating the “sway-back” posture seen in many adults.
The Startle Reflex (Red Light Response): Triggered by stress or perceived danger, this reflex rounds the shoulders and contracts the body inward to protect vital organs. If sustained, it results in a hunched posture.
The Trauma Reflex: The body adopts compensatory postures to avoid pain following physical injuries. Even after healing, these postures can persist, causing imbalances and discomfort.
Why Does It Work?
Hanna’s exercises focus on pandiculations—slow, mindful movements involving full contraction followed by relaxation. These movements mimic the natural stretching patterns of animals like cats and dogs, which “reset” their muscles dozens of times a day. Research suggests these movements recalibrate the nervous system, particularly the alpha-gamma co-activation loop, restoring proper muscle tone.
My Experience with Somatic Education
Intrigued, I attended a three-day somatic workshop led by Martha Peterson, a renowned practitioner in the field. Unlike traditional exercises, somatic movements are slow and deliberate, often performed lying down to eliminate balance-related compensations.
On the final day, we applied our newfound skills on real clients. My client was someone I had previously treated with osteopathy but with limited success. Using somatic techniques, I guided her through exercises to address her retained reflexes. Her posture improved significantly in just one session than after four osteopathic treatments. Moreover, she left equipped with exercises to continue her progress at home—a powerful, self-sustaining approach to healing.
Final Thoughts
Somatic movement has opened my eyes to the incredible potential of re-educating the nervous system. It’s a transformative tool, especially for those with chronic pain or “hard-to-treat” cases. If you’re curious to try it I would recommend following this video, where I show a simple movement that can really help relieve back pain.
This is one of the core movements I use in my Back Pain Correction Protocol and my Scoliosis Online Program to help people calm an irritated back so we can proceed with adding mobility and strength.
If you have any questions or want to know more, Contact Us and I’d be happy to chat.
When Andrew, a standout player for Team Nicaragua, injured his calf and developed a pickleball elbow, he feared he’d have to miss the Pickleball World Cup in Peru. With only 14 days until the competition, we had no time to waste.
Step 1: A Thorough Assessment
We began with a detailed case history and discovered something crucial: Andrew had previously fractured the same ankle as his current calf strain. This insight was critical.
Next, we conducted an in-depth physical exam on the treatment table and through a movement screen. Here’s what we found:
Ankle Imbalances: His injured ankle didn’t move as efficiently as his other side.
Right Arm Mobility Issues: The arm affected by the pickleball elbow had a limited range of motion compared to his left.
Stiff Spine and Hip: His spine and right hip were less mobile, which could be contributing to the strain on his calf and elbow.
You can see our first treatment session in this short video:
Step 2: The Treatment Plan
Armed with this information, we tailored a recovery plan:
Manual Therapy: We targeted the stiff areas to improve joint mobility and relieve tension.
Movement Rehabilitation: Focused exercises addressed the imbalances in his ankles and arms, ensuring proper mechanics.
Electrical Stimulation: This accelerated muscle recovery and reduced inflammation in his calf and elbow using a small electrical device that can help decrease pain and increase healing.
Strengthening: We built strength in the muscles supporting his calf and arm to enhance stability and prevent re-injury.
With just 7 days to go, you can see his progress in this video
The Results
After just two weeks, Andrew was back to full strength and ready to compete on the world stage. He recovered in record time and returned more balanced and resilient than before.
See the last video in this series for our 3rd and final treatment, and find out how he got on in the World Cup: https://youtu.be/ABxtVp7J6zc.
If you’re facing similar challenges, know that recovery doesn’t have to mean sitting on the sidelines. With the right approach, you can return to doing what you love—more vital than ever. If you want to work with me using online exercise to speed up your recovery, drop me a line at ed@edpaget.com, and I’d be happy to jump on a call with you and see how I can help.
