Dr. Mark Bird

Dr. Mark Bird Movement Based Chiropractic. Move well, move often, feel good!

Integrated Assessment and Integrated Patterning = GAME CHANGER! This 2 day course takes the big picture of movement and ...
09/14/2025

Integrated Assessment and Integrated Patterning = GAME CHANGER!

This 2 day course takes the big picture of movement and breaks it down so that we can focus on what needs to be addressed.

If you want to move better, this is what you've been looking for!

10/06/2021

Deadlift technique:

Deadlifts are a must for so many reasons. But you have to do them right. Most think it's just about pulling the weight off the ground. Technically right, but you'll likely get hurt approaching this lift that way.

It's actually a pull and a push exercise with a tonne of core activation!

Here's how:

1) Set your stance. Wide or narrow, take the time to figure out your foot position and angle.

2) Set your grip and if you feel it loosen up, stop your set - No weak links. Ideal grips are the overhand grip or the alternate hand grip (one overhand and one underhand).

3) Create tension throughout your body. Tighten everything up to prepare for the lift. Lift up on the bar and push your feet into the ground without actually lifting the weight off the ground. All of the following needs to happen prior to lifting:

A) Brace your core (rib tuck) to maintain a neutral spine.
B) Externally rotate the hips. This helps maintain a neutral spine and creates the necessary tension to perform the lift.
C) Retract the shoulder blades (but don’t pinch them together) and externally rotate the shoulders. This is to help lock-in the upper back.

4) The moment you feel everything connect, LIFT!!!!!!

5) Lowering the weight is also very important. Regain a tight core and activate the upper back musculature to maintain a neutral spine. Initiate the descent by doing a HIP HINGE (see my post from 20-Jan-2021). Touch the weight down and reset if you need to.

If you need help with your technique or you just want to start deadlifting, I’m here to help.

Happy lifting!!!!

09/21/2021

Knee ups and leg raises:

These are technically hip flexor exercises but your core is a very important component to these movements. What your core is doing is stabilizing your torso and pelvis so that your hips can work efficiently. Your hips only move as well as the core and pelvis allow them to.

Think of these exercises as variations on a standard plank or dead bug, albeit more challenging ones. To perform these, you’ll need to brace your arms, shoulders, and trunk/core so that the only things moving are your legs.

Focus on control rather than repetitions!

It’s about quality over quantity. With good technique your training improves, your body adapts and the repetitions increase.

Have fun with these alternate core exercises and remember, variation is just as important as the load of your exercises.

Tips:
- focus on keeping the low back and pelvis from flexing during the hip flexion motion (legs ups)
- focus on keeping the low back and pelvis from extending during the hip extension motion (legs down)

07/29/2021

Dead Bug

Core work is an integral part of maintaining a healthy spine. This particular exercise is great for appreciating the required core activation in order to move the limbs. The first video is the standard dead bug exercise. The second video is a modification that I use with clients who struggle with core stabilization. Using a band or a fixed object to do an isometric lat pull helps to stabilize the low back and pelvis.

Tips:
- Tuck ribs and hold this position.
- Focus on keeping the low back from flexing/extending.

It's finally done!
04/08/2021

It's finally done!

02/10/2021

Prone shoulder sweep:

Need to level up your shoulder mobility work? Try this one out.

1) Lay face down with your arms along your sides and externally rotated.
2) Pull your shoulder blades together lifting your hands off the ground. This is the height off the ground you'll want to try and maintain for this exercise.
3) Sweep your arms away from your body and up towards your head.
4) Bring the arms back to your sides while you internally rotate the shoulder.
5) Continue the internal rotation by bringing your hands behind your back.

Tips:
- Focus on the retraction of your shoulder blades.
- Try not to over use your posterior delt to lift your hands off the ground.
- Rest at the top position if you need to.
- Brace your core.
- Be smooth and controlled.
- Quality over quantity!

If you have any discomfort during this exercise, I've got fixes! Just let me know.

Online booking available in the link in my bio.

Address

150 King Street South, Unit G
Waterloo, ON
N2J1P6

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 2pm - 7pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15197070599

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr. Mark Bird posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category