Thinking about a hip replacement?

Here's a video on the "anterior" approach -- one of the latest ways to replace the hip, preferable because there is less need to sever muscles of the hip. Nevertheless, it's a bit disturbing and I would hope that you would do all you could to prevent having to undergo the procedure.

I know this is motivation to do my own menus and keep my body aligned with Egoscue. I've been beating up my right hip for years prior to starting with Egoscue, based on leg dominance and past injuries. And while the left knee injury was the focus of my attention and efforts to keep it functional, what I was missing (pre-Egoscue) was the "body works as a unit" concept. In a nutshell, I was avoiding work on my left side and putting it all on my right side. When I started with Egoscue, my right knee was turned out close to 45-degrees AND I was doing triathlons, playing & coaching rugby and lifting weights. A lot of activity, but 80%-plus going to my right side, making me tighter and tighter in my right hip and furthering problems in the rest of my body.

Check out the video. If you're queasy, then just know it's not pretty. But know this also -- You can prevent this from happening, but do it NOW before it's too late!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEkw-p-F8yQ

Snowboarding atop Wolf Creek, CO

Some fun with Egoscue exercises as a warm-up for snowboarding. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-4t0bs2OU

Fighting for YOU

Congrats to all of the Olympians this winter for fulfilling their dreams and competing in the events. What a great ride with the snowboarding, skiing, skating, hockey & more! All of the hours, weeks, months & years of preparing for their moment in time... And just like all the time they put into prepping their bodies & minds for the event, we all prepare for the moments life presents. The question is if we'll be ready for the challenge. Whether playing with kids or grandchildren, stepping up to drive on a long par 5, enjoying a hike with friends, or a fun match of tennis... life presents opportunities and moments. Be ready. What you do now counts. -PS

The Fight for "YOU" When's the last time you had a fight with your self? Maybe it was just now when you had to decide whether or not to spend the time reading this. So, who was it that you were fighting with anyway? As humans, we all share the gift of self-awareness. This ability allows us to distinguish between our thoughts and our "self" that is thinking the thoughts (and reacting or interacting with events and the environment). The good and bad of this awareness is that we can have thoughts that encourage and empower, or judge and criticize. At some point, we identify our self as a sum of our actions. In other words, what we DO is a part of who we are. In looking at others, comparing and associating, we may identify others by the sports they play, the way they walk, or their helpfulness in cooking, cleaning, etc. And while these actions should by no means be the complete sum of who we are -- if we lose the ability to do, we lose that part of who we are. I can remember injuring my knee in a snowboarding accident and having to be laid up for weeks. I couldn't walk without crutches much less run, couldn't drive, couldn't play sports with friends, couldn't give my girl a bear hug, couldn't do a lot of the activities that I identified with that made me feel strong, free and alive. The frustration level was high as I judged and criticized myself for the accident and for being unable to be active. Questions ran through my head about having to redefine who I was and how I viewed myself. It's a scary proposition to have to re-invent yourself or to have to find alternate activities to those of first choosing. Fortunately, I was eventually able to regain enough function to get back into activities I identified with. But for many, this doesn't seem possible given their current critical, judgmental thoughts that may be defeating the real 'you.' In the absence of an objective view of your self, the path to getting back into daily activities, sports, or just being free and feeling strong may seem insurmountable. So here's what I suggest. Come in for a FREE consultation at our clinic. We'll take some postural photos and go over your condition. Along with that, we'll give you straightforward answers on what it will take to get you back on track and how you can rediscover much of what you thought was lost from the true YOU. Call to set up an appointment for your consultation. You have nothing to lose but the limiting beliefs gained since your injury or pain started. You have everything to gain, including the self you once knew, loved and appreciated. Call to set up your free consultation and find out the best path for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.

For the complete Egoscue Santa Monica March Newsletter, click here:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs043/1102261740810/archive/1103127145012.html

Lizard Brain doing your Thinking?

Overcoming the resistance to act means conquering the lizard in your brain!

In Seth Godin's latest book, Linchpin, he describes the lizard brain and how it is seeking the simple path in life. "The lizard brain is hungry, scared, angry, and horny...and only wants to eat and be safe." And while this reptilian side of our brain will cause us to fight when necessary, it may also keep us from reaching out beyond our comfort levels.

The lizard brain wants you to order in versus venturing out to a new restaurant. It would rather you watch a movie you've already seen (possibly several times) instead of seeing a new movie or a touring play. The lizard brain may also be what's keeping you from trying something different to overcome your pain. It would rather have you sit on the couch and live with physical limitations and less activity than get out and play.

Your lizard brain says, "Oh, I've already tried everything." This statement give security and certainty in only one thing -- that you don't have to try any more. The unintended consequences, however, are devastating and include loss of desire & motivation, lack of creativity, depression, and hopelessness.

Another comment the lizard brain makes is, "I would, but it costs too much." As with the last comment, this will lead to safety & security, and create a scarcity mindset that things-are-only-getting-worse. Investing in yourself is not a lizard-brained idea because it would cause you to think ahead... think of the success, achievement and hope of actually getting better, enjoying a lifestyle you once had.

"It's too far, too complicated, takes too much time, too hard, too much effort, etc., etc." Your lizard brain will go on and on about how much you'd rather live with the pain, succumb to a less-than-optimal lifestyle, or simply wait for an act of divinity, before coming out of the safety zone. After all, drugs are cheap, surgery may be covered by insurance, and I need to save all the energy I have left! And while these comments may be justifiable, the truth is that you have more in you.

You have a gift, a birthright, to being pain free. Conquer the lizard and get back your higher functioning self. You'll thank yourself that you did, and so will those around you who've been living with the lizard.

Egoscue Pain Free1

Check out this SlideShare Presentation - a simple rundown of Egoscue:

Egoscue Pain Free1

View more presentations from pfschell.

Up & Running in the New Year?

Along the beach, boardwalk, parks or on the street, there are plenty of runners in Santa Monica and throughout LA. (After all, look at our weather compared to the icy mess back East!) And while most will tell you to start with selecting a good pair of shoes and equipping yourself with the right gear, our advice is to start from the "inside-out" by starting with preparing your body.

The proverbial "wall" that you hit with running should be from endurance and having to build up your cardiovascular system. Most people, however, will hit the wall that comes in the form of musculoskeletal pain. Whether knee pain, foot pain, hip pain, back pain or otherwise, the joints of your body that are not functioning properly will start to complain.

Pete Egoscue says in Pain Free;

Running gets the worst rap of any major sport, and many of its loudest critics are former runners. Their primary objection to running is its impact on the load-bearing joints. When those joints are unstable and out of alignment, their capacity to manage the shock of each foot strike is indeed impaired. Fancy shoes and knee braces won't help, nor will adjustments in (running) technique.

So, before you run out to get the best shoes and the stylish garb, spend some time restoring proper function within your body by doing some simple e-cises. If you've taken a significant break from running, it is likely that your gait muscles have become dysfunctional from the time off. Wake up these dormant muscles and your body will thank you for it, and you'll be able to stick to your running program a lot longer!

Egoscue can help you identify what is causing your pain or help you get on track with your workout routines by setting up your posture and function for success. Come into the clinic for a free consultation or get started by reading one of Pete Egoscue's books. I recommend "Pain Free" if you have symptoms. You can also get started with the exercises on Egoscue.com. Call to set up your free consultation and find out what the best path is for your personal condition at 310-450-2549.

Upcoming Events - Egoscue Santa Monica

Egoscue is coming to Santa Barbara!

We are conducting therapy appointments in Santa Barbara starting at the end of January and will be returning monthly. Many clients head down to Santa Monica to see us from the area and will now be able to book appointments with us while we are there.

When:  Saturday, January 30
Where: Motion Unlimited, 1811 State St. Suite C in Santa Barbara

To schedule an appointment, call 310-450-2549 or email santamonica@egoscue.com

Patch Fitness in February

If you've been looking for the right way to get yourself started on a fitness plan this year - here it is! Join us for a 4-week program of fun, functional fitness. Patch workout classes will be Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings starting February 1. Call to reserve your spot in the classes today at 310-450-2549.

Kid's Meditation Workshop

Caroline Sexton is excited to offer a Winter Meditation Workshop for children. This will be a 6-week series geared towards children ages 5 to 12. Each class will involve a meditation as well as explore brain gym, whole brain exercises and art projects. Classes will be held here at the Santa Monica Clinic. Call to reserve your spot as spaces are limited to 8. Contact Caroline Sexton at 818-441-4790.

Client with medial knee pain

A client is visiting us from Canada for a couple of weeks to get her body in shape. She's been through it all... and is still having trouble with the knees. She read Pain Free by Pete Egoscue and it made sense. In 2 days, she's felt how so many other areas of the body have been "feeding" the knee problem. And while in a short time the knee pain has become a minimal factor, the upper back and shoulders have been identified as a source of troubles for not only the knees, but several other aches and pains (from a previous accident years ago). Great to hear her say, "It's amazing how the body works all together." Exactly!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Monica-CA/Egoscue-Santa-Monica/64886913334?ref=mf