What are ELDOA Exercises?
ELDOA (Étirements Longitudinaux avec Decoaptation Ostéo Articulaire), or more easily translated to Longitudinal Osteo-Articular Decoaptation Stretching, is a revolutionary technique created by World renowned Osteopath Dr. Guy VOYER.
ELDOAs are postural self-normalising techniques designed for widening the space within a chosen articulation. This is accomplished by creating fascial tension to fix the vertebra below and contraction in extreme range to normalise the vertebra above the targeted disc. For example, it is possible in one minute a day to relieve disc compression between T6-T7 or even more specifically at the base of the long arm of the left sacroiliac joint. Dr. VOYER developed an ELDOA exercise for every articulation in the spine starting at the base of the skull and ending with the sacro-illiac joint. It is possible to create more room in a particular articulation with an exact position adapted to each person.
ELDOA postures are very specific compared to other techniques. Disc compression existing at any level of the spine can be addressed through a specific ELDOA exercise. If a client experiences pain because of compression between the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral, the de-coaptation position should target this exact level and not the one above or below.
Lower back pain is an uncomfortable and often debilitating condition that many people deal with on a daily basis. The ELDOA can effectively alleviate and over time help fix acute and chronic back pain. ELDOA exercises, when done on a regular basis, can help offset many of the risk factors that can cause degeneration and herniation of the intervertebral discs.
ELDOAs are not limited to just the spine! There are numerous ELDOA postures for the sacroiliac joints and hips as well as the shoulders, ribs, and skull.
For more information about Guy VOYER DO and the SomaTraining, Applied SomaTherapy, and ELDOA Programs please visit the links we provide on our education page: EDUCATION
What is MYOFASCIAL STRETCHING?
Myofascial Stretching is one of the safest and most effective ways to create space and balance in the body. This technique of stretching, perfected and taught by Guy VOYER DO, is extremely advanced because of its specificity to correct the body’s tensegrity through the fascial chains and its solicitation of the nervous system.
All muscles are wrapped in an aponeurotic sleeve and connected with each other through numerous fasciae. Everyone knows about muscle stretching; however, it is difficult to stretch a muscle if it is wrapped in a leathery sleeve that does not give. It is better to consider each muscle as links in chains extending throughout the length of the entire body.
The goal of every Myofascial stretch is to put into tension the fascia that encases the muscles in order to normalize the length and function of the fascial chains. It is also important to respect the direction of the fibers and encourage the sliding of the fascia around and between the muscles. When you do Myofascial stretches, you correct structural imbalances and release tension across the joints which helps to reduce inflammation and pain.
The flexibility gains from Myofascial stretches can help improve your joint mobility, and overall health. As the quality of your tissue improves with the stimulus created by the Myofascial Stretches, you’ll find that you have better posture, greater range of motion, that you are able to perform tasks with greater ease, and you’ll suffer fewer injuries.
What is Fascia and why is it so important?
The fascial tissue is equally distributed throughout the entire body, enveloping, interacting with, and permeating blood vessels, nerves, viscera, meninges, bones, muscles, blood, and lymph; creating various layers at different depths and forming a 3-dimensional metabolic and mechanical matrix. The fascia becomes an organ that can affect an individual’s health.
A tensegrity structure is stabilised by the balance of a constant tension and by the presence of a discontinuous compression. There is a large influence on improving the quality of the fascia; and that’s by bringing balance to the biotensegrity model in which our bodies work. This is best achieved through the facilitation of the neurological system while creating tensions throughout the fascial chains in order to improve the fascia’s ability to slide and respond both superficially and at the deeper levels. This is where ELDOAs and Myofascial Stretches are most successful in the treatment and remodelling of the fascia. These self normalisation techniques restore the functionality as well as the quality of this omnidirectional matrix.
If you have 30 minutes… or even just 5… it’s worthwhile to watch this video. Though quite involved, it does provide an incredible up close look at the fascia and how it works in all its complexity.
Benefits of ELDOA METHOD
With your ELDOA METHOD Membership, you will receive all of the knowledge and tools that you need so you can reap the many benefits of this method, including:
Injury Recovery and Prevention
Reduced Joint Inflammation and Arthrosis
Delayed Disc Degeneration
Increased Disc Hydration
Increased Blood Flow
Improved Posture
Normalise Disc Bulges
Reduced Degrees of Scoliosis
Increased Flexibility
Improved Muscle Performance and Tone
Normalisation of Visceral Function
Reduced Stress
Relief of Chronic and Acute Back Pain
Relief of Neck and Shoulder Tension
Improved Awareness and Overall Wellbeing
Improved Recovery Time for Sports and Training
Reduced Forward Head Posture
The techniques used in the ELDOA METHOD are being allocated to patients by Osteopaths, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors and Health Practitioners all over the world.
Professional Athletes from the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, PGA, UK track and field Olympic Team and more, are using these specific techniques to improve their performance and recovery time from competitions and training.
What are some risk factors that can lead to disc herniation?
Lifting inappropriately
Overweight
Sudden pressure
Arduous repetitive activities
Congenital weakness of the discal tissues
Chronic dehydration
Sudden trunk rotation or shearing force
Straightening or over accentuating of the natural curves of the spine
In the event of insufficient movement of the vertebral column caused by a job where you are in a constant sitting position, the rear portion of the disc will be compressed and thus weakened. Tears and swelling of the disc can then occur.
If the cells of the disc failed to get proper nutrients – such as oxygen, or glucose – or if the pH level of the disc drops (because waste is not being diffused out of the disc and it becomes anaerobic), disc cells would die and stop producing the vital proteoglycan aggregates. The disc loses its water content (dehydrates) and loses its hydrostatic pressure (osmotic pressure).
The inflammatory and degenerative processes in the connecting structures relate to vertebral discs, ligaments, and joints located in the back of the vertebrae. If ligaments start loosening, the entire structure of the column becomes unstable. This produces a misalignment of the vertebrae and an overload of rear joints causing a premature wear out leading to osteoarthritis.
Fusion of the vertebrae, whether congenital or from surgery, will increase the requirement of mobility and shock absorption from the joints above or below the fusion, thus increasing the likelihood of damage to the discs and tissues near the fusion.
“I first met Stephanie in 2015, when I was grappling with overuse injuries related to my job as an orchestral musician. Stephanie quickly identified my issues and developed a comprehensive plan for my recovery, which included strength training, ELDOA, and myofascial stretching. Thanks to Stephanie’s patient and professional coaching, I not only made a full recovery but came out the other end a much stronger musician with the skill set to maintain good form and posture. I can’t thank Stephanie enough for her guidance and unwavering support; without her I’m not sure that I would still be playing. Five years on, I now see Stephanie weekly as an online client, where she is helping me to recover and rebuild after the birth of my first child. I can’t recommend Stephanie highly enough!”
Who can benefit from an ELDOA METHOD Membership?
Athletes and runners
Without balancing your training with stretching and recovery, it’s only a matter of time before your body will break down or limit your performance. If you’re an athlete and you want to get the edge on your competition, ELDOA METHOD can enrich your training program to help speed up recovery, heal nagging pain, and improve your longevity for continued success in your sport.
Working professionals and students
The repetitive use of computers, TV, smartphones, trauma, and even backpacks have forced the body to adapt to a forward head posture. The resources provided in the ELDOA METHOD memberships will help by re-establishing your gravity line, strengthening the muscles of your abs, back, and spine, while correcting tensions of the restricted, overused muscles in your body.
Aging spines and joints
Fighting gravity and the effects of inactivity is a lifelong endeavour! Your biological health can be maintained and improved with the proper implementation of physical exercises. And It is never too late to start! You may feel younger, taller, and more energetic when you make the techniques from your ELDOA METHOD membership part of your lifestyle.
Scoliosis
There are many causes for scoliosis including a congenital predisposition. This is why, in many countries, children are often screened for the condition in school. Any degree of scoliosis that a child has that is left untreated will potentially increase throughout their developing years and become permanent when they reach adulthood. Because ELDOAs are exercises that simultaneously work to strengthen, educate and realign all of the fascial connections in relation to the spine, there can be remarkable improvement found in the correction of scoliosis for both children and adults when performed as part of a daily routine.
Pre and post-surgical patients
If you are suffering from or have recurring bouts of back pain caused by spinal injuries, getting an ELDOA METHOD membership may help! These postures can alleviate your symptoms by addressing the cause at the source of the problem. Implementing the ELDOA METHOD techniques with the appropriate adaptations will help to decompress your spine and reinforce ideal posture so you can help re-establish a healthy spine!
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