Corrective Exercise Specialist: The truth about joint pain

The knee, the hip, the low back, the wrists, the ankle, the neck….  Unless something has been crushed, broken, fractured or in some cases is arthritic (a swelling of the joint capsule, believed to be brought on by a high-acid diet, but can also be caused by severe muscle imbalances), chances are that it can be repaired without surgery.

Some believe these pains are genetic, but that is usually quite inaccurate.  “But my dad/mom/etc. just got a hip replacement or knee surgery and mine is hurting too!”  Yea, you probably got it from them, but not through genetics.  Its more of a monkey-see-monkey-do-kind of phenomenon.

When you are a child you mimic what your parents do: the way they walk, the way they talk, what they eat, when they sleep, maybe even a similar profession.  All of these things and more contribute to the attention and care that you give to your body and also your movement patterns.

Given that most people are not taught to move properly, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize just how common improper movement can be.  Just walk down the street with me one day and I’ll point out hundreds of them to you within just a few blocks.  The truth behind joint pain is that it is caused and contributed to by improper movement patterns and muscle imbalances that lead to joint dysfunction.  And it usually takes years of improper movement to develop them. Muscle imbalances are quite easy to reverse, initially.  But keeping them that way to encourage new movement patterns though, can take a bit more effort, strategy and focus.  The goal is literally to reeducate your Central Nervous System on how to control your limbs and actions (I bet you control freaks are goin to love that!)

How does one transform their movement?  Well, first, identify and inhibit the overactive/tight muscles.  Next, identify reactivate and strengthen the underactive muscles.  And lastly put all of that together in a new functional movement.  This process takes about 6 weeks to accomplish and the results are amazing!!  With my clients (without diagnosing anything of course), I have been seeing arches raise, pain has been relieved, movement has been corrected, people have gotten faster, stronger, more agile, balanced, the works!  Could you imagine being able to exercise again and reclaim your health after suffering an intense injury or post-surgery??  How great would it be to no longer be put off from what you love??

Not only does this method relieve the body of the pain, but it also allows you to move faster, more efficiently and your exercise or “therapy” (if you want to call it that) makes you burn calories and look sexy!

This is what it means to be a Corrective Exercise Specialist!  Are you ready to start running or lifting again?  If so, great, let’s talk!