Move Better

Now that you’re out of pain, it’s time to learn how to move better and get back your function. This is the second phase of treatment.  Aside from an accident or injury, your pain is most likely the result of a faulty movement pattern. Meaning, your body has lost its ability to move in a functional way. If your joints lose the ability to move, your muscles start to get weak in some places and tight in others causing muscle imbalance. Muscle imbalance across a stiff joint will cause instability, weakness, and decreased ability your to absorb force. Once your joints lose the ability to absorb force, the degeneration process starts!

While that was an oversimplified description of the degeneration process, it plots an easy roadmap to follow in reverse:

  1. Increasing your strength will help restore joint and spine stability
  2. Once a joint is stable you will see an increase mobility
  3. Having mobile joints will help you move better
  4. Moving better will prevent or stop the degeneration process going on in your body

Squat, Push, and Pull

 

These are the fundamental movement in life. Think about it… Everything you do is one or a combination of a squat, push, or pull.  Sitting down or getting out off the couch – Squat.  Scrubbing a countertop – Push.  Opening a door – Pull. Restoring these three movements will build strength, improve balance, and reduce pain.

 

Simple but Not Easy

 

I think most people understand the concept and importance of movement. We all could be a little stronger and more flexible, right? Well, it’s a little more than that… You have a pain and movement pattern which is specific to you and you alone. A faulty movement pattern is something that learned after an injury. Injuries big, and sometimes small will develop into an avoidance behavior because of pain. And, don’t forget your posture at work environment over the past X-number of years. Rehabilitation is like learning a new sport or instrument. We need to help you “re-groove” a new way of moving. We identify your body’s weakness by performing a Functional Evaluation. Because you are out of pain at this phase, I can now see how your body moves on a regular basis.

 

A Functional Evaluation will reveal:

  • Movements which cause pain
  • Patterns of instability
  • Areas of stiffness
  • Loss of motion
  • Gives us a baseline which we can measure against. This is the “proof in the pudding”. I want you to be able to see and feel the difference you have made

The rehab phase is a hands-on process in the office but will require more at-home effort. You will be given specific instructions about your rehab and plan. I don’t want you to spend hours in my office. I want to show and teach you the movement strategies your body needs to regain strength, mobility, and durability.