Movement Patterns - Learn From The Pros

Do you ever wonder if there is a secret to alleviating most pain and maximizing your overall health, especially the health of your muscles and joints? Well, the secret is: do what babies do; yes, babies! The fact is, if you or I had never lost the 'movement patterns' that babies have, we would not 'wear out' our knees, shoulders, low back, etc. in a lifetime.

Babies with normally developing brains have predictable movement patterns that ensure the safety of their joints and muscles before every move they make. Watch a baby pick up something off of the floor. They do a perfect squat using their hips, not knees or back. Watch a baby get off of the floor. They do this task the same spine sparing way every time. Watch a baby cry loudly. They project their ear piercing cry with the diaphragm in perfect spine position like a well trained singer. Even though they may scream for quite some time in a day they don't strain their voice because they do it properly.

Let's take a patient with a disk injury in the low back. During my exam, I see chest breathing, feel stiff hips, and watch them bend at the low back when rising from sit to stand. This patient has movement patterns that injure their back all day long. My job is to change this patient's muscles and joints so that they can keep their back safe while the body heals the disk injury. Then I have to 're-teach' this patient the proper movement patterns.

During the holidays, many of you will see grandchildren, nieces/nephews, or cousins in the 1 - 3 years of age range. Watch them play and you'll learn how you can keep your joints and muscles healthy and safe. If stiffness or weakness is keeping you from 'doing as they do', the doctors at In Motion would be glad to help.

For much more information please visit WWW.INMOTIONSJC.COM or call In Motion Spine & Joint Center at 615-302-4747. As always, Get In Motion Spring Hill!