When most people think about this category, they think about their physique. While that may be important to some, that is not the purpose of this category, nor would it be well defined. We define the physical aspect of the STATERA triad of health by 3 fundamental categories: Muscle Mass, Functional Movement, and Freedom From Pain.

1. Muscle Mass (structurally and biochemically)

After about 30 years old, we start to lose approximately 1% of muscle mass per year. YIKES! But what does that mean, right? Why are muscles important outside of the obvious?

As my friend Matt Zanis says, we are rooted in movement. Nearly anything you wish to accomplish in life requires movement. Movement = Action. With respect to longevity, movement really begins to matter later in life. Furthermore, movement to preserve muscle mass matters later in life. We are all aware of how devastating falls can be to the elderly. From a prevention standpoint, muscle mass can not only aid in the strength, proprioception and stability to resist falls, but also serve as structural protection from joints and bones in the unfortunate event of a fall.

From a biochemical perspective, muscles provide more than simply movement. In fact skeletal muscle is the most metabolically active tissue in the body, meaning a majority of metabolism happens in the muscles. With adequate muscle mass, we are able to metabolize and store glucose, removing it from the blood where problems can occur if it accumulates (i.e. diabetes). Elevated blood glucose levels are one of the main features of aging, and through movement and preservation of muscle mass, you are stacking the odds of longevity in your favor.

2. Functional Movement

Admit it, deep down we all like to live in the glory days of our youth sports, or even collegiate sports if you were fortunate enough to extend your athletic passion. Maybe you still enjoy competing in marathons, weight-lifting competitions or summer football leagues. However a day will come when you decide to hang up the cleats…at which point you may find yourself asking yourself, what am I training for next?

The good news is, there is a sport that requires performance every single day; that is the game of life. Think about all the necessary movements we perform every single day, and then think about some of the movements that remain necessary/enjoyable later in life:

With longevity in mind, this approach to the movement demands of life has been referred to as the Centenarian Olympics (coined by Dr. Peter Attia), or the movement that circulate around the physical milestones we wish to accomplish later in life. Broadly speaking, this can be best applied by your ability to perform movements of the previously mentioned tasks at each decade, where we can assess patterns and course correct if need be.

More specifically, we believe it is very critical you maintain these foundational functional movements:

Hip hinge

Overhead reach

Core stabilization

Grip strength

We will be breaking down these movements in greater depth in future posts, including exercises to improve, strengthen and rehabilitate.

3. Freedom From Pain

This is potentially the greatest input where we, as chiropractors, enter the equation. It’s both the short-term and long-term approaches we take to ensure you are effectively able to move in and out of postures; because if this doesn’t function well, the body informs of this via painful movements. And likely, the more painful movements we experience, the less likely we are to engage in those movements as the brain adapts and attempts to protect us from those painful patterns. Pain is important signaling in the body, as survival circuits in the body suggest this particular movement is problematic; the question is at what point does this problematic movement become maladaptive?

Our goal as chiropractors, is to remove the obstacles of painful movements and promote improved feedback to the brain as it relates to proprioception, movement and stability. Movement is our favorite medicine, and we’re obsessed with helping you view movement differently.

Clinic Events

officialstatera.com/events

Resources:

@rootedinmvmt (Matt Zanis, DPT)

@metabolic_mike (Mike Mutzel, MS)

@squatuniversity

@themvmtcoach (Josh Evans, MS)

@primal.swoledier (Eric Leija)

@bretcontreras1 (Bret Contreras, PhD)

@bradshoenfeldphd (Brad Schoenfeld, PhD)

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