I left the Midwest in Aug 2011, bawling my eyes out. I was leaving a great teaching job at a school I loved, away from family I adored. I needed to study acupuncture and practice chiropractic, while teaching gross anatomy. The only place that I could to accommodate all three? New York City. Somehow, it all clicked, and I made it all work – trimester by trimester – for 2 years. I balanced school, practice, … Read more
This weekend at the NKT Level I St Louis, the budding juggernaut Mr. Anthony Aamodt asked me to analyze his handstand. He felt some trouble with balance, and we found a hyperextended lower T spine that was preventing core stability. Check out this NKT reset for core stability. Additionally, Anthony could be assigned upper T spine extension that is followed with an exercise that promotes hollowing for core activation. -Dr. Kathy Dooley
I had such an amazing time yesterday, during my first day lead instructing Level I in St Louis. Some highlights: 1. A solid history and thorough exam turn a practitioner from a fisher into a sniper. 2. Be wary of relational inhibition. A muscle may appear to hold a test, but another deeper dysfunction may be present to prevent the comfortable neural lock you seek. Investigate. 3. Suspect the tibialis posterior as a compensator on … Read more
After the most bittersweet week of my life, I could not be more proud to write the 1,000th daily installment of Dooley Noted. It was just a New Year’s resolution. Post daily. Educate daily. But it taught me the ultimate lesson: good things come to those who have commitment and tenacity. I write when I’m “busy”or “tired,” awake or asleep. Yes, some of these appear in dreams, like some type deus ex machina. I am … Read more
I received two very different observations via email yesterday. Patient 1: “Today was one of the most pleasurable, informative, and fulfilling health appointments I have ever experienced. You are knowledgable and passionate about the human body as a cohesive unit and it shows. I truly am looking forward to my next visit. “ Patient 2: “You’re so well-rounded and knowledgeable. So why didn’t you become a real doctor?” Even if I’m teaching our future MDs … Read more
When my blood lipid panel was taken in November of last year, my cholesterol was 214. One might assume I got anxious, seeking consult for massive dietary and workout changes to get the number below 200. What I did instead? I smiled and went about my business. I know what is and isn’t supported in the literature quite consistently. If you’re looking for elevated blood cholesterol to be linked to disease, you’ll be hard pressed … Read more
The greatest love I’ve ever known is from an amazing man. His love runs so deeply that he would give his life for his woman. His forgiveness is an abyss, and his affection unaffected by the wrinkles that accumulate as the years pass. He plays guitar like Johnny Cash and stands up for people talking smack about those he loves. He sacrifices without excuses and without regrets, in the names of love and family. This … Read more
I have the honor of two incredible people auditing my gross anatomy class each week. Anna, a masters acupuncture student, drives an hour each way. Danny, an anatomic artist, drives three hours each way. These phenomenal human beings just want to LEARN. It’s just awesome. While lecture and dissection are absolutely critical, Danny and Anna took it up a notch this weekend by making my course better. Danny spent 4.5 hours painting Anna’s forearm, so … Read more
I’ve seen my share of people doing a deadlift, just to pick up their shoes with rounded backs. I’ve seen a diligent commitment to core exercises, just to breathe from the chest all day. Are you doing your rehab drills twice daily? Great. Are you undoing your rehab by not altering your movement flaws thought the day? Maybe. This needs to be brought to your attention. You might not even release you are hurting yourself, … Read more
With my patients, I find one of the most prevalent global compensators is the neck. In everything from forward head carriage to neck-dominated lifts, I see too much neck involvement in activities. This results in a lack of spinal neutrality and altered movement patterns. Check out this drill, if the neck is where you store tension or from where you lead movements. – Dr. Kathy Dooley