Dr. Stephanie Carter Kelley

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Relieve Pain by Going Back to the Beginning: Tummy Time

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This is the first of a 4 part series of videos where I take you through the developmental sequence in order to train your core muscles so that can support you and result in LESS PAIN.

Developmental sequencing has been used for a long time in Physical Therapy. These exercises are based on central nervous system (Brain and Spinal Cord) maturation and the normal development of human movement. Rehabilitation programs for both children and adults are based on the progression of human movement starting in infancy, i.e. roll, crawl, stand, walk and run. These programs are most commonly used for adults that have had a neurological injury, like a stroke or traumatic brain injury. But over the last several years, these techniques have also found their way into orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation programs.

The Developmental Approach has had something of a REBIRTH! (Pun intended!)

This approach is so more than just strengthening or stretching. The foundation of this approach is that humans have specific MOTOR PROGRAMMING genetically “built in” and coordinated movement is developed by creating MOTOR CONTROL and specific MOTOR SKILLS along a specific progression.

Why do People with Chronic Pain need Developmental Sequencing?

People with chronic pain have stopped moving in these coordinated movements. When subconscious protective “fight, flight, or freeze” aspect of the nervous system is OVERACTIVE, these normal movements become impaired. This is essentially a neurological injury and the longer a person has had chronic pain, the poorer she moves. And because our body parts are interconnected, pain and movement impairment spreads to regions seemingly uninjured. So that’s why, in these videos, I’m taking you…

BACK TO THE BEGINNING!

In this first video you are going to experience TUMMY TIME! I’m going to show you how to comfortably get onto your stomach and start building the core muscles of your back. All the movements are gentle and focused on muscle activation, sequencing and contraction in isolation. However, if you have not been on your tummy for a long time, you may just want to start with that. Just get on your stomach and breathe. You may have been told NEVER to lie on your stomach after a neck or back injury. But that person didn’t understand the importance of TUMMY TIME for returning to a life without pain. Just as tummy time is natural for babies, it is natural for you too. So let go of any fear that you may have with this position, grab a few pillows, and go for it.

Namaste,

Stephanie

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways that I can help you…

1.  Join my free Facebook group, Yoga Physical Therapy Approach to Ease Chronic Pain, where I and others just like you are ready to provide support.

***Request to Join the Facebook Group…Click Here

2.  Get on the waitlist for my online course, Yoga for a Better Back.  When the course opens you will have access to the approach where you Live More with Less Pain.

***GET on the Waitlist….Click Here