All of us have experienced that awful stiff neck at some point in our life and know just how draining it can be to our bodies, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Imagine being like that every day? With the use of computers becoming so much more prominent each year and the introduction of lap tops, IPADS and smartphones, the rise of chronic back pain along with neck and shoulder pain injuries is substantial. If the problem is left unattended, and you just put up with the pain, it can lead to severe injuries that are very difficult to treat and lead to other more serious problems. Disc bulges in the neck are becoming very common, and not just limited to old people. The first thing people normally do is take some anti inflammatory pills, perhaps get a massage and maybe do some stretches and hope it goes away. And while all this gives some relief, it is just a short term remedy. It is really just using a band-aid approach to treating a much bigger cut or bleed. In this article we are going to provide with the knowledge on how neck problems are created in the first place, so you can treat the "real problem", prevent the onset of chronic pain and get rid of it for good.

Many of you will think that mobility and flexibility are the same thing. I know I did, before I became more educated and truly understood the difference between stretching and mobilizing, and how certain parts of the body are more suited to one or the other. We all know the benefits to being more flexible for preventing injury, improving performance and also in rehabilitation when there is a problem or pain, the first thing we do is often to release the tightness surrounding the joint. But this is our instincts trick us and where we a mistake by missing treating where the problem really lies. We are a complex system of systems stacked upon each other with each system relying on the other in order to produce great health. And in the musculo-skeletal system each joint in the body is bound by the joint above or below. (A great concept developed by Gray Cook and Mike Boyle you can read in the book "Movement"). What often happens is someone develops back pain and complains of how stiff their back is and seeks treatment for their back. They do not complain of having restricted hip flexibility or stiffness, for the hips are not in pain. But it is commonly the tight hips that are the cause of the back pain for when we move the hips need great movement in all directions, in order to prevent the back from flexing and extending. The lower back (lumbar spine) must remain stable, while the hips must be the exact opposite, flexible and mobile. But what is the difference between flexible and mobile? In this article I will explain exactly what the difference is and provide plenty of videos and links with more detail and information relating to each joint so you have the full list of what to do! Enjoy.

I don't know anyone who wants to be slow and weak, but I know many people who want to be fast and strong. Especially athletes or anyone who plays ball sports like football, basketball & tennis. Why then do so many people adopt slow training principles, exercises and methods in their training? The old saying, "train slow, become slow" is so true. This doesn't mean you cannot use slow exercises, they are essential at times for stability and strength components of an exercise program, but to develop power and fast explosive skills, you have to train with exercises that move fast and explosive. It is really as simple as that. The big problem with these particular exercises is that they are very difficult to learn, and also teach, and they also are quite risky with a chance of injury if you get them wrong. Technique is everything with these exercises. There are many great exercises you can use, and to help you we have provided with our Top 5 that are relatively easy to learn.