The REAL Reason You Are In Pain

Key to the ability to perform efficient movement patterns free from discomfort and/or pain is the proper function of muscles and joints. In most cases the cause of muscle and joint decreased range-of-motion (ROM) is stiffness in the joint and muscles that originate at or near the joint, innervate the joint, or are located adjacent to the joint. Stiffness in other soft tissue structures such as tendons, ligaments, and fascia (connective tissue) may also be responsible for decreased ROM. For example, the inability to lift the arm in the proper over-head position may be a result of tight rotator-cuff muscles, tight deltoids and pectorals, and/or tight upper back muscles located in the scapulo-thoracic region. Interestingly, this issue could, in fact, originate from faulty walking patterns. If a person has weak foot or ankle muscles, the body will attempt to compensate for this by relying on other body segments near, below, or above the weak areas, such as the calves or knees, to produce the desired gross movement. Overuse of the calves and/or knees can affect the way the hip joint functions, which will place more stress on the lower back. Pain in the lower back will cause compensatory movement in the upper extremity [shoulder complex-shoulder joints and scapulas (shoulder blades)], which will cause overuse of these areas resulting in decreased ROM and/or potential injury. If injury occurs, scar tissue build-up and overcompensation will tighten the muscles and joints even more. You must also understand that faulty movement patterns may begin by consciously changing the way you move. However, overtime these movement patterns become learned by the Central Nervous System (CNS). The CNS is responsible for the conscious and subconscious firing of muscles. When the brain senses a problem (pain), it will change the sequence of the muscle-firing pattern, using the uninjured muscles first.
Once this happens, you subconsciously use these faulty movement patterns in lieu of more efficient ones. So you see, that an issue that may originate in the foot, left uncorrected for long enough, can snowball UP the kinetic chain and affect movement in the shoulders!

Adam Eckart
B. Physical Ed/Adult Fitness
USAW


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