http://robertsontrainingsystems.com/blog/A+Stretching+Fallacy

I came across this recent post on Mike's blog. I understand the hamstring and the spinal erector points, but I'm drawing a blank for the levator scapulae. Is it the t-spine that's at fault (exaggerated kyphosis)? Would levator scap issues be fixed by some t-spine extensions?

i read that as well….it seems like him and ec always like the LS stretch….but…apparently it's not good with forward head posture.

You're right, Kane. Forward head posture tends to come along as a result of bad upper back posture…kyphsis. Instead of an individual getting caught up in stretching the neck right away it would be better to concentrate on fixing the upper back posture which will probably resolve the neck problem.

I don't know abotut the levator thing. According to Kendall the cervical spine extensors, upper trapezius and levator will tend to be in a shortened position. But it is recommended to stretch the cervical spine extensors, if short. You do this with a sort of chin retraction, btw..not the stretch people are usually given where you touch your chin to your chest, which will probably do nothing to correct this problem. What you are doing is flattening the cervical spine in the stretch, not flexing it.

Have you got a vid of the chin retraction, E? I'm picturing moving the head/neck straight back so the chin is vertically aligned with the front of the base of the neck.

Ah so they aren't acknowledging it, huh? I need a nap..I will get with you later on this.

Yes, what's unclear about that?

kinda like in neanderthal no more when he recommends "loosening" up the hamstrings for APT….but now, no. i'm getting confizzled.

here we go again:

Even though the left clavicle and scapula are elevated, they appear otherwise symmetrical in shape/tonus to the right side. This indicates the problem is farther down in the kinetic chain. The forward head posture should be addressed using activation work for the deep neck flexors, coupled with stretching of the suboccipitals and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) (and the levator scapulae, as noted earlier).

I was just discussing this hamstring thing not too long ago. Do you guys remember? It's just a reflection of new information, etc. The hamstring issue in particular is sort of "big news" right now and if you notice many coaches are talking about it.

The common, knee jerk reaction 'stretch your hammies' for everything is simply no longer considered valid. I stopped stretching my hams religiously, btw, going on a good year now and, low and behold…it ain't made a difference. It has not affected my mobility and it is the mobility work itself that keeps that up not the static stretches.

This doesn't mean that there does not exist situation in which the hamstrings SHOULD be stretched it is just that you don't need to assume they need to be stretched because they 'feel' tight and/or as a part of dealing with APT..

Be happy that these guys do not just rest on their laurels. They learn new things and they pass it on..

Realize that many of the recommendations in Neanderthal No More have since been discontinuted. It's an old article. It's frustrating but you just have to try to keep up. I know it's even MORE frustrating when you have just read the articles and now find out that it's not all valid. But it's better than having the wrong info.

new info sucks.