Greetings!
Welcome to the May newsletter for Egoscue Santa Monica. I'd like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for sharing the Egoscue experience with your friends and family. Since coming up from San Diego to run the clinic here, I have to say that we have the BEST clients here in the area (as well as those driving down from Santa Barbara, Central California, & flying in from Canada). It's great to be a part of the community here. -PS
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Aging Knees? Straighten, then Strengthen
With 46 million people across the country suffering from chronic joint pain stemming from arthritis, the knees often get a bad rap. Labeled as a "poorly designed joint" or questioned for the wide variety of problems that seem to end up in the knees, they are often misunderstood while taking on the brunt of the load for other misbehaving areas of the body.
In simple terms, the knee is a hinge joint -- designed to flex and extend with minor amounts of accessory movement. Why would there be so many issues in a joint that has the simple task of movement in one direction? Well, that's where things get sticky.
 Take a look at the photo to the right. Notice anything funny about these knees? Well, besides the major amounts of swelling, you may notice that they point outward and are bowed as well. Who's job do you think it is to tell the knee which way to point? I'll give you a hint... it ain't the knee.
Rather, the knee listens the hip. Sure, the foot and ankle can influence the knee, but overall, the hip is responsible for the direction and placement of the knee. If the hip is neglectful in it's duty to point the knee in the right direction, then (as you'll notice in the picture below on the left) the knee eventually becomes unable to flex and extend as it is designed to do. If unable to do it's job, the knee will start to suffer and complain (as it should) to get help.
 In this case, chronic inflammation is present due to the constant stress and strain the knees are taking from being out of position in all activities, including walking. (Imagine a door off it's hinges being opened and shut a few hundred times during the day -- multiplied by 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, etc). Now, doctors and health professionals will all tell you that movement is good for arthritis and that you don't want to stay immobilized for long periods of time because it does not facilitate healing. But when there is a negative consequence to moving and a price to pay in the form of pain, it makes being active all the more difficult. And popping meds to help reduce inflammation or to decrease pain may help cope during or after exercise, but is only masking the problem.
There has to be a better way and there is. At Egoscue, we have a mantra that says, "Get Straight, then Strengthen." This basic premise says get the body in line, then allow it work as it's designed. If the knees are directed by the hips, then let's stop beating them up and get the proper hip muscles to do their work in keeping the knees in line. Walking and moving then become all the easier, inflammatory responses go down, and the healing process can take place. Don't wait too long for all of the cartilage to deteriorate. Get started on your own program today.
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Egoscue-isms
"Dysfunctional muscles are generally not diseased, aging, or broken. They are starved of motion."
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Clinic Events
Morning Posture Class - Mon-Fri; 8:00-9:00 AM. Get your day started by improving your posture, function & energy! Join us at 8:00 AM Monday through Friday for our group class. PAS-I Training Seminar - Fri, June 6 through Sun, June 9; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Join us as for 3-days as we cover the links between Posture & Pain, as well as go through posture-corrective exercises you can use for yourself and others. For more information on these classes, email wla@egoscue.com or call 310-450-2549.
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Cancerpalooza LA
Support a Great Cause, See Michael Tiernan & a Great ShowTuesday May 19; 8-11 PM  Cancerpalooza is about
empowering young adults affected by cancer and raising awareness for
the cause of "cancer under 40" through an artists showcase featuring
musicians diagnosed in the prime of their lives who chose to get busy
living by expressing themselves and sharing their story through the art
of their survivorship. The event will be taking place at Molly
Mallone's in Los Angeles offering survivors with a hip, non-clinical
and non-threatening social environment to interact and mingle amongst a
likeminded community of their peers. For tickets or more information, CLICK HERE.
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You should not have to live in pain. Find out more on how you can tap into the healing potential of your own body - without drugs and without surgery. The Egoscue Method is a non-medical approach to healing and wellness that focuses on the cause of the problem versus the site of the pain. Call today to set up a visit or a consultation.
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Sincerely,
Paul Schell
Egoscue Santa Monica
paul@egoscue.com
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Get Egoscue Certified
PAS-I Seminar
Fri-Sun; June 5-7
Join us for 3-days of intensive, fun learning at Egoscue Santa Monica. Learn postural
assessment and exercises to restore function and overcome pain.
Enroll
in the PAS-I Seminar to become certified by Egoscue University. *Mentoring also available at the Santa Monica Clinic for Egoscue Affiliates. Find out more at: www.EgoscueUniversity.com
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On Facebook? Join the Egoscue Santa Monica page. Post your questions, discussion topics, view upcoming events, and share your stories related to our Egoscue community here.
Go to Egoscue Santa Monica group page.
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