Understanding How Movement Patterns Affect Chronic Pain and Mobility
Chronic pain and recurring injuries are often the result of imbalances in our movement patterns. The way we move—how our muscles, joints, and bones work together—plays a crucial role in how our bodies function day to day. When these natural patterns are disrupted, whether due to injury, poor posture, or muscle weakness, they can lead to pain, reduced mobility, and even further injury. It's essential to understand how our body's movements interact and support one another.
How Movement Patterns Work—and How They Can Go Wrong
In a healthy, balanced body, our muscles and joints work harmoniously to perform tasks with minimal thought. Take the simple act of picking up a glass of water. To perform this action, your body follows a smooth series of steps: your hand grasps the glass, your wrist and elbow bend, your shoulder lifts, and your mouth opens to drink. This happens as one fluid, automatic motion known as a "motor program." However, even simple tasks can become difficult or painful when something disrupts this smooth process.
When the body encounters such imbalances, it compensates, and other muscles may take over the load. This can lead to overworked muscles, pain, and dysfunction. Over time, specific muscles may become tight or damaged while others "switch off," further disrupting natural movement patterns.
For example, if you have neck tension, it may surprise you that these issues can affect your arm and hand movements or, even further down the chain, your walking gait. A small problem in one area can ripple through the entire body, making daily activities harder and leading to discomfort or injury.
Chronic Pain and Dysfunctional Movement
When movement patterns become disrupted, dysfunctional loading can result—when specific muscles or joints are subjected to unnatural stress. These imbalances can lead to long-term pain, discomfort, and restricted movement in other body areas. For instance, if the neck and shoulder muscles are tense or overworked, the tension can travel through the body, causing issues like thoracic outlet syndrome. This condition involves the compression of nerves or blood vessels near the neck and shoulder, affecting the upper body and arms.
To address these issues, it's crucial to identify the root cause of the imbalance and retrain the body to relearn the 'correct' movement. Restoring movement patterns can reduce chronic pain and joint stability and prevent further injury.
How Exercise Physiology Helps Restore Balance
A key focus of exercise physiology is identifying and correcting dysfunctional movement patterns. Exercise physiologists specialise in understanding how the body's muscles and joints interact and how imbalances in one area can affect overall movement. By assessing movement patterns, an exercise physiologist can identify areas of weakness, tension, or overcompensation contributing to pain or dysfunction.
Exercise physiologists use a combination of targeted exercises, stretching, and mobility techniques to help restore natural movement patterns. This process involves strengthening underused muscles, releasing tension in overactive muscles, and improving the coordination between muscle groups. The goal is to reduce the stress placed on joints and muscles, alleviate chronic pain, and improve physical performance. With this balanced approach, you'll move with greater ease and confidence.
Ready to Restore Your Movement?
Suppose you're struggling with chronic pain or recurring injuries. In that case, it's time to consider how your movement patterns could be the source of the problem. Working with an exercise physiologist can help you address the underlying causes of your discomfort. Restoring natural movement patterns will reduce pain and improve your mobility, strength, and overall quality of life.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you move better and feel stronger.