I attended a three-day seminar this weekend, taught by Dr. Craig Liebenson, a great thinker and leader in my profession.  It was entitled “Prague School to Athletic Development; Functional Assessment and Core Training.”  This is core rehabilitation at its finest.

But what really struck me about the course was the passion it brought about in me.  Not passion about core rehab necessarily (although I did learn a lot on that front and will certainly be bringing some new and refined tools to my practice life), but rather, passion about movement.  I believe in movement.  I believe so deeply, so rooted in my fundamental values and understanding and conviction, that we were made to move.

The first topic Dr. Liebenson spoke about was what he called an “Inactivity Crisis.”  Society is in the midst of an inactivity crisis, complete with sitting to commute, sitting at work, dropping physical activity levels, soaring obesity and heart disease and back pain.  “Use it or lose it,” he said, referring to our body’s movements, and my heart and my mind and every part of me was silently nodding, screaming, jumping “EXACTLY!”

I can’t state it more simply than that.  We need to move.  And this is my passion, movement.

I plan vacations around outdoor activities.  I find a gym in every city I visit.  I enter races and competitions because I like the challenge.  I would rather go for a walk than watch a movie.  My favourite girl’s nights involve a workout.  I chose to become a chiropractor because I wanted to work with athletes.  I believe so strongly in movement and fitness and physical activity that I’ve centered my whole life around it.  Movement is my common thread.

Kids who are more active get better grades.  Adults who are more active lower their risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression.  Seniors who are more active have fewer falls, take fewer meds, and have a better quality of life.  Movement is a lifestyle, not 30-minutes three-time-a-week.  It’s more than that.  It’s a choice, a necessity, a responsibility.

I want my body to age well.  When my crow’s feet deepen and my skin sags, I want to be able to get myself up off the couch.  I want to be able to lift my own groceries and make my own meals and play with my grandchildren.  And while movement isn’t the be-all-end-all guarantee that I will get to do these things, it’s a step in the right direction.

So how can I end this post without sounding like I’m ranting?  Like I’m pointing a finger, being holier-than-thou, and standing on a soapbox?  Perhaps I can’t.  Perhaps I’ve already  made you uncomfortable, made you introspect, made you think.  If so, I’ve done my job.  I’ve always said that this blog comes from my genuine, heartfelt beliefs.  And I genuinely believe in movement.

“Just a few generations ago, physical activity was a constant part of daily life. Now we’ve done away with it so thoroughly, physical inactivity actually seems normal. The social and economic costs and consequences are unsustainable.” ~designedtomove.org

The End.

But you should watch this video:  http://designedtomove.org/.