When a doctor prescribes an iron supplement for an anaemic patient, it’s because the lack of iron is affecting the body’s ability to perform essential functions. Similarly, when our body is “deficient” in certain types of movement, it cannot operate optimally. Our health is maintained by supplying nourishment—physical, emotional, environmental—that the body needs.
So how does this analogy apply to our movement?
The human body is a complex organism designed to interact with our physical environment in a highly variable way. If we sit most of the day, move very little, and are exposed to repetitive positions (odd shoes, hard surfaces, cramped spaces), the body becomes deficient in experiencing diverse movement, support, balance, and adaptation. This increases susceptibility to injuries when trying anything new.
Addressing this deficiency through what Katy Bowman, author of Move Your DNA, calls “movement nutrition” is essential. Just as animals in captivity suffer from limited movement, many of us experience similar physical effects in modern sedentary lifestyles.
The human body is a complex organism that is principally designed to interact with our physical environment on a constant, highly variable way.
At our clinic, many imbalances we see from head to toe stem from a lack of full-range movement. Even single-discipline activities like running or walking do not provide enough variation to counteract sedentary effects. We recommend implementing a “daily nutritious movement practice”—a simple, everyday routine that takes the body through every joint to provide valuable variable movement. This can complement yoga, dynamic exercises, or other home maintenance work.
We challenge you to try it for seven days in a row and see how you feel!
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