In this post we discuss whether overuse or underuse is the best way to think about musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, through the lens of cardiac rehabilitation. In the 1950s heart attacks were thought to be caused by ‘overuse’ of the heart. If you saw somebody jogging you’d think they had a death wish. Patients were routinely […]
Health
Why strengthening beats stretching (even when done badly)
In this post we explore why strengthening beats stretching (even if your technique isn’t perfect) using an interesting case study. Here’s an instructive story for you. A gentleman was referred to me with discomfort at the back of his knee. He’d been managing this situation with massage, stretching and orthotics for the past 7 years. […]
A different approach to resistance training
In this post we discuss a different approach to resistance training and why it can and should be adapted for everybody. What type of person comes to mind when I say Pilates? A woman perhaps? Tall and thin? How about Yoga? Maybe also a woman? Bendy with a tattoo placed somewhere tasteful? Right, how about […]
Why Stone Age workouts won’t save your middle-aged body
In this post we discuss why Stone Age workouts won’t help you in middle age and other common fallacies in the rehab and training world. Let me start with a quote from a recent Times article on how to stay fit and injury free in middle age. “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a […]
Longevity that works: science-backed habits that slow ageing
In this post, we discuss longevity that works, focusing on evidence-based habits that actually slow the ageing process. TL;DR • We understand ageing’s effects on the body and have decades of data showing how exercise mitigates them. • Exercise counters nearly every negative effect of ageing, even if the molecular details are still being uncovered. • […]