1. Can you speak to the relationship between mental health and sedentarism? What advice do you have for remote workers to avoid a sedentary lifestyle?
According to an article published The International Journal of Behavioral Medicine (IJBM), “Physically inactive lifestyles and sedentary behaviors (SB) are key contributors to ill health.” It was found that sedentary behaviors is associated with an increased risk of depression. Interestingly, what compounds this relationship is the bidirectional nature of the relationship between SB and depression.
The often-overlooked factor is that this relationship is codependent; by that, I mean that there is increasing evidence to show that depression also contributes to the sedentary lifestyle. “Baseline depression was significantly associated with subsequent sedentary lifestyle.” (Babak Roshanaei-Moghaddam, Wayne J. Katon, Joan Russo, The longitudinal effects of depression on physical activity, General Hospital Psychiatry, Volume 31, Issue 4,2009)
On a practical level, I have never had this many patients on antidepression medication. The last year has brought an onslaught of patients who are heavier, more dysfunctional, and psychologically effected than ever before. I can validly make this observation as I have treated many of them pre-Covid and have observed a clear affect in their mood. My advice to anyone who feels that they are trapped and slowly circling downwards is to stop, take a breath, and KNOW that there is a healthy way out. You DESERVE this and you are the solution. I have always said that the first step of change, is hope. I am here to tell you without reservation, YOU HAVE HOPE, and step one is to write down 3 days that you will devote to movement. Step 2; commit to walking a few blocks around your neighborhood and simply take in the peacefulness of outdoors while your cardiovascular and nervous system begin to happily awake again. By week 4 or 5, consider a home modality hat optimizes your movement without harming you and your joints. Ideally, a home modality that accommodates the natural structure(s) of the spine and movement of joints.
2. What do you envision the future of health and wellness products to look like? How does CLIMBR fit into that vision?
The exciting news is that we live in an era where knowledge and instruction is a few clicks away! We have the choice of resolving this psychosomatic epidemic and we can do so in the safety of our homes. This is precisely where the value of ergonomically sound home modalities such as CLMBR provide an answer. “Exercise” comes in a multitude of variations; the distinguishing and often overlooked vital factor is correct exercise. One common, universally applicable theory pertains to flexion (bending forward) We, as members of a civilized society spend, the majority of our time in flexion, i.e.: driving, sitting at our desks, etc. Not only does prolonged flexion play a role in general posture but furthermore it effects the spine and the spinal discs. There are 3 main curves of the spine, the neck and low back have the same gross concavity (lordosis), whereas the middle of the back should natural be a bit convex (kyphosis). The overall health of the spine, and the numerous corresponding nerves that innervate all muscles and organs, has to do with maintaining these three curves. Going against the bodies intended structure and movement has repercussions. Hence, the reason we are seeing a rapid increase in injuries such as disc bulges, disc desiccations, compression fractures, ligament avulsions, early joint degeneration, radiculopathy (such as sciatica) and numerous others. The modality of the future will not only incorporate, but furthermore will designed around fundamental scientific and biomechanical concepts….one of these initial concepts will be a shift away from machines that force your body into hip flexion and a move towards inducing extension or at the least, maintain the our spines natural degrees of curvature while strengthening the muscles via healthy joint motion