Lymphatic Assessment

What is a Lymphatic Assessment?

Assessment of the lymphatic system includes an evaluation of lymph nodes at different points throughout the body. The body has tons of lymph nodes starting from the head, down the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. Lymph nodes are checked for size, consistency, and tenderness. When lymph nodes start to show any swelling or tenderness, that gives an obvious sign of inflammation.

Why and When should you use Lymphatic Assessment?

A Lymphatic assessment is a great resource for those who have chronic pain or trying to improve overall health and performance. The lymphatic assessment helps determine which lymph nodes are the most tender, swollen, and built up with inflammation.

The lymphatic system acts as the body’s sewage system. It balances the level of fluids in our body but when certain lymph nodes are “backed up” and not flushing properly, levels of inflammation increase. Infinity Sports Institute provides lymphatic assessment during our Full Functional Evaluation. The assessment further helps us pinpoint areas of inflammation allowing us to develop a better plan for those that take part of the High-Performance Pain Management program.

The Takeaway

The lymphatic system is an essential component to get your body functioning at an optimal level. A dysfunctional lymphatic system really hinders the body’s immune system and its ability to transport fluid throughout the body. Having the assessment as part of our Full Functional Evaluation and using the proper techniques to manipulate the lymphatic system has really enhanced our client’s performance, recovery, and overall well-being.

If you have been having chronic pain, our High-Performance Pain Management program is for you! Call us today at 786-591-7586 to schedule your Full Functional Evaluation.

Dynamic Contraction Technique

What is DCT?

Dynamic Contraction Technique (DCT) is a methodology that uses eccentric muscle contractions to breakdown scar tissue. Scar tissue is abnormal unions of connective tissue in the body that form after trauma and can affect skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Nic Bartolotta developed the technique based on the idea of muscle tension and strategies to reduce knots within the muscles. The goal of the DCT methodology is to reestablish muscle function and improve flexibility through lengthening the active muscle under a load which is called an eccentric muscle contraction. The idea is that the eccentric contraction helps pull apart some of those muscle fibers that become knotted together creating a “tight” muscle. DCT incorporates a balance of resistance stretching and strength training that combines principles from modalities across the world in order to improve performance, reduce injury risk, and improve quality of life conditions by establishing better muscle function and reducing chronic discomfort from tight muscles.

Why and When would you use DCT?

DCT can be used for anyone. Infinity Sports Institute will apply DCT techniques on a case by case basis following a consultation and/or an evaluation. The techniques are used routinely to address injuries and for developing performance programs based on the individual’s goal. The idea of DCT simply put is to strengthen the weak tissues and expand the strong tissue. This happens by doing an eccentric muscle contraction, or by placing a load on a muscle that is being stretched and lengthened. An example of an eccentric contraction would be instead of performing a normal biceps curl up towards their chest, they slowly resist against the weight as it lowers back down away from their chest.

The Takeaway

Practitioners and clients using DCT’s methods are able to improve stability in the body, by improving movement and how the body is able to handle wear and tear. DCT’s methodology is a great resource to utilize when applied appropriately and correctly. If you have been having mobility issues and feeling tons of different knots then DCT might be for you.

Call Infinity Sports Institute now at (786)591-7586 to schedule a consultation or full functional evaluation with a professional to see if DCT techniques can help you!

IT Band and Knee Pain? Might be your Butt!

The Gluteus Maximus

IT Band Issues, Low Back Pain, Hamstring Injuries, Knee Pain, Hip and Knee Injuries, Lack of Performance, Loss of Balance, Running Slow, or worse – Seeing NO Gains? Is this you? Read Below.

The Glute. Max.

Is definitely a nice muscle to look at and one of the most powerful muscles we have. Unfortunately many of us suffer from “Glute Amnesia”, the lack of this muscle to actually work. In rehab & performance this is a topic that is touched on quite a bit. If you’ve ever been to a good Therapist, Strength and Conditioning coach, or Performance Specialist, we bet they have checked if those “awesome to look” at muscles are actually working.

You’re probably wondering, “Are my Glutes. Working?”… Well Probably not. We know, we know, you lift like everyday, run and you where a high school all star. But before we try and prove each other wrong lets go over the Gluteus Maximus.

Why is your Butt so important?  

This awesome muscle definitely connects to many things at its origin and insertion – Imagine how it would make you feel if it’s sleeping on the job.

At its Origin the Glute Max inserts into the Fascia of the gluteus medius; the external surface of the ilium behind the posterior gluteal line; the fascia of the erector spinae; the dorsal surface of the sacrum; the lateral margin of the coccyx; the sacrotuberal ligament.

At its Insertion the Glute Max inserts through the Upper fibers, to the posterior part of the iliotibial tract and the fasciae latae muscles; Through the Lower fibers, to the gluteal tuberosity of the proximal femur.

did you read all that 🧐? If you didn’t here’s the quickie:

The Glute Max inserts/connects with the Glute Medius, ilium, your lower back muscles, sacrum, coccyx, a ligament at the lower and back part of the pelvis, IT Band, TFL, and the femur.

That’s a ton of connections and things that can have issues if your Glute Max is not up to par .

Now that you know where it connects – here are its actions (what it does)

It performs extension of the femur from the flexed position in the hip joint; lateral stabilization of the hip and knee joints; external rotation of the femur.

The Glute Max helps you bring back the femur from a flexed hip position such as a deadlift, Romanian Deadlift, Running (extension of the hip). It helps us stabilize the hip and knee joints as well as helping us externally rotate the femur.

We can definitely agree that this awesome muscle needs to be functional during all activities: walking, using the stairs, running, weightlifting, dancing, and making the magic happen

Use it or Lose it!

You ever hear the saying “Use it’s or Lose it” well that is perfect when describing what happens to muscles that don’t get used properly. Your Glute Max is supposed to do many things, but, what happens if you sit on it for 8 hours, or your run looks more like a jog between mile 3 and 12 and you’re not going through a full running gait cycle? Unfortunately that really powerful muscle can become inhibited and atrophy. The under used Glute will recruit less motor units causing it to work less and eventually start shrinking : “You’re going to lose your Gains!”.

In the previous paragraphs you learned where the Glute. Max connects and what it does. Now, if it’s inhibited, it will cause energy leaks causing other muscles to absorb more energy and work harder as well. As the Glute Max atrophies it will cause tension in the areas where it connects.  

If the Glute is sleeping on the job, it can be a reason for the IT Band issues your experiencing, that constant tension and pain in your lower back, that lateral hip pain, or knee pain. A non functional Glute Max can also be a catalyst for an injury such as ligament tear/sprain, lack of balance and loss of performance.

So, is your Glue Max working? Properly? Don’t Know? Come Check us out, send us a message or book directly using the Link on this page!

By: Hector Maradiaga Co-Founder | Performance Specialist

About Infinity Sports Institute

Infinity Sports Institute is dedicated in optimizing the human experience through sports science, sports medicine and technology. We believe Physical, Mental and Social components are pillars to optimizing the human experience.

For all your performance, recovery, rehab and consultant needs, make sure to contact us, or come visit us at Infinity Sports Institute in our Brickell Location (42 SW 6th ST). Click Here to Schedule Your Free RockTape Session!

Contact

infinitysi.com

info@infinitysi.com

305.423.8242

FOLLOW US ON:

Yelp Facebook Instagram

Running: Using RockTape To Improve Your Running !

Using RockTape To Improve Your Running

I am sure you have seen a numerous amounts of athletes on TV rocking this cool looking tape on their shoulders, necks, backs and other areas. From Olympic Swimming to NBA or the NFL, athletes of all kinds are enjoying the benefits of this tape. I’m sure you’re wondering how it can help your running, right? But, before we explain how it can be used to improve your running, let’s find out what it is.

So what exactly is RockTape?

RockTape is a Kinesiology Tape preferred by many due to its high quality, pliability and great adhesive. RockTape is made from 97% Cotton 3% Nylon; with a hypo-allergenic, acrylic based adhesive that’s free of latex. This allows RockTape to outperform the competition by being stretchier and stickier.

But what is Kinesiology Tape?

Kinesiology Tape was developed in the 1970s by Dr.Kenzo Kase, from Kojimachi, Tokyo,as a way to prolong the healing effects of his treatment for his patients through the skin.

Kinesiology Tape is not like Athletic Tape. Athletic Tape is meant to be rigid, restrict motion and add support, as where Kinesiology Tape is meant to be flexible not restricting and assist in mobility, plus more!

RockTape can be used in many ways for multiple benefits.

To Relieve Pain
To Activate or De-Activate a Muscle
To Reduce Swelling
To Delay Fatigue
To Decompress
To Enhance Movement and Improve Posture

My run was amazing!! The tape was great I attribute he comfort of my run to the rock tape!!! You guys…. Rock!!

Mary Hussey – 2018 Miami Marathon participant

Improve your running

One of the major issues with runners is that lingering discomfort or pain. RockTape can be used to help with that knee, hip or lower back pain by altering the pain signals to the brain changing the way your body perceives the pain. It can do this by lifting the skin and decompressing the area where pain or discomfort is present (as shown in the image above).

That constant Knee pain/discomfort can actually be caused by energy leaks(click here for previous post on energy leaks) due to inefficient biomechanics. A great example of this is knee pain caused by an over-pronating foot. You can use RockTape to temporarily correct the medial collapse which can improve that knee pain/discomfort as well as improve your gait! This is done as the RockTape will provide Kinesthetic Guidance (tactile stimuli providing feedback to the brain on how to move) so you can move more efficiently. The RockTape acts as a physical cue to better enhance a movement pattern (as shown below)

Swollen Knees or Ankles?

No worries, RockTape can be used to help assist the lymphatic system by draining lymphatic fluid! This will not only help reduce swelling but it also helps with bruising!

RockTape can be used in so many different ways to help improve your running. Although the taping looks simple only a trained professional is able to determine why it’s needed, what needs to be taped and how it should be taped. The why, what and how are crucial in achieving a dramatic and positive effect.