When I ran a marathon in my jogging days, I was shocked at the number of people I saw popping ibuprofen at seemingly every rest stop. I remember thinking to myself, “Do people’s runs hurt? If so, why are they doing it?” I have only spent a short time in practice. But I am equally shocked that nearly every patient with pain takes ibuprofen for it. One chronic low back pain patient told me he … Read more
Many people are assigned the Midback Extension Drill on a foam roller to mobilize a rounded tight midback. However, many perform it in a way that jams up the neck and lower midback. Try these tips to optimize your drill, so the upper and lower spine don’t stiffen as the midback loosens. – Dr. Kathy Dooley
If shoulder mobility isn’t happening, don’t forget that thoracic extension may not be optimal. In this week’s Video Dooley Noted, we cover a drill that trains the body to maintain abdominal compression and midback extension, while allowing the shoulders to move overhead. It’s a great neurological drill for training the motor control center how to extend and compress the trunk simultaneously while letting the arms move freely on that stable platform. Check it out! – Dr. … Read more
I was lucky enough to have an incredible dinner this week with the great Christopher Warden, NKT-certified strength coach and all-around conversationalist. We spoke about the fact I’m often told to “slow down.” I said I didn’t know what this means, because I thoroughly enjoy my life. Why would I put brakes on it? He made it all clear in a moment. He said, “Slowing down doesn’t mean quitting the jobs you love. Maybe it’s … Read more
Colleague’s email: “Patient presents with bilateral shoulder hike and MSE DN. L5 radiculopathy worsened on extension. What would you do?” They don’t tell you in chiropractic school you’ll be spending 6 figures on an education where people ask advice without writing, “Hello,” first, or without even asking politely for help. That faux pas set aside, I answered with the truth. Dooley: “I’m sorry, but I don’t know. Your patient is not my patient.” I am … Read more
After getting some closure I needed, I took a long drive home. I never found driving frustrating. It’s meditative. Too many contemplative songs later, I started to look back on my past relationships. Although they ended, they were each successful failures. But I had no real feeling about the rough stuff. I started laughing as I immediately went to the good stuff. I thought about how one called me Beauty, and still does to this … Read more
While you are enjoying your summer weather in the garden, remember to protect your back. A Deadlift is a hip hinge, which loads the posterior aspect of the body. Often stated to be “hard on the back,” the well-executed Deadlift is rather back protective, using the hip power to produce force while stabilizing the low back. What you do cumulatively matters most, so bending and moving in your garden can be helpful or harmful. How … Read more
Yesterday, I was getting ready for an acupuncture clinic shift. Knowing it’d be 90 degrees, I knew capri pants were a wise choice. I reached into my closet and grabbed a somewhat faded pair of black capris. These are not just any capris. These are the capris I bought at age 20. They’re a bit worn after nearly 15 years, but I still wear them. I’ve never let my weight fluctuate enough to not be … Read more
First and foremost, I’m a chiropractor who specializes in movement coaching. I’ve had my share of patients that chose not to see me because I don’t take their insurance. I’ve played the insurance game, and this is what I’ve learned: You get what you pay for. I don’t want to misconstrue you by assuming I mean quality of care. That’s not to what I’m referring. I mean YOU – YOU get out of something what … Read more
After a satisfying morning treating patients, I went to a coffeeshop. I watched as a lady griped about the delay on her order, as she looked to the other customers for approval. I couldn’t offer mine. After telling the employees how awful they were, she stated, “I’ll be happy when you give me my order, so I can leave.” The employee said, “We will be, too.” You know where this is going. She demanded the … Read more