Question on Mobility, Stability, Primitive Patterns, Z Health and more!
Came across your blog and found it interesting as I have also taken some Z courses. I love it, but think that there doesn't have to be a distinction between the nervous system and biomechanical approaches.
I think both are necessary and we all need a balance between mobility and stability. Not sure if you're familiar with Gray Cook, but he wrote an interesting article on this topic a while back on T-nation.
I recently purchased his Primitive Movements DVD and he discusses movement patterns along with some stability work, including some Power Plate exercises. In one of his newsletters, Eric (Dr. Cobb of Z Health) stated his doubt about the use of anything electric, but I think he is wrong on this one.
I've been doing Z Health since 2003 and seen great results with it. At the same time, it hasn't restored proper function by itself and I believe most people will need some form of manual therapy and stability work for optimal results.
Vibration platforms are a great tool for addressing reflex stabilization. Just a tool, but effective none the less.
Look forward to reading your articles. Always looking to learn from someone new.
Thanks
Brian Morgan
Answer
Thanks for the note Brian! One of the things I love about this blog is the ability to interact with some really smart people.
I don't really like the term "stability" I think a better term is "coordination" (stole that from Frankie Faires). Much of this I covered in this past post
Jammed Joints and Muscular Weakness--Stability and Mobility
Also see Aaron's Blog post hereNot a Stability Issue
I do believe you need mobility before stability, as I stated in my lumbar mobility post quite some time ago (I am sure I am not the first to say that). Kids has tons of mobility and then learn coordination (stability).
Lumbar Mobility in Italy
Lumbar movement and Z Health comment
Cool that you have been doing Z-Health for a long time. Have you worked with a Z Health trainer? If so, what level? Many times after a period of time, you will need your eyes/vestibular systems checked as they can be impeding any progress. Don't just take my word for it, see this comment from Dr. Jim below
Testimonial for Z Health and New Dragon Door Workshop: Z-Health
I am actually totally for hands on work, as long as it is NOT painful---see my ART / Z Health post below (I think I am going for a record number of links in a post)Active Release Technique (ART), Z Health, Hands on Work (Massage, Guided Exercise)
For research, I think vibe platforms are cool (although they feel really weird), but if I was going to build a gym from scratch, at 10K a piece I would put them on the bottom of the list. I do think they can get lots of mechanoreceptor stim going and many times that will even get people out of pain.
I spent about an hour talking to the nice people at the power plate stand at ACSM last year. Very cool people and I expect to see more use of them for pain reduction coming soon. How long that effect will hold once you step off is debatable. I think some cool mobility work (when done with precision) can get you a similar effect and will last (hold) longer due to the enhanced motor learning--you are ACTIVELY moving your limbs so that brain on top of your head has to work harder than if you just lay their like a dead fish while someone pokes/prods at ya.
Thoughts/ comments from others? Post them in the comments!
Rock on and special thanks to Brian for letting me post this here
Mike T Nelson
