The goal of exercise rehabilitation is to restore your body’s normal biomechanics (function and movement), resulting in decreased pain and improved performance. We shouldn’t have to go through our day consciously reminding ourselves to “squeeze our core” or to “breathe into our bellies”. These are actions that should happen automatically.
When a traumatic injury occurs, like a strain or sprain, an inflammatory response arises. Your body’s natural mechanics are interrupted as it attempts to protect the injured area. To decrease pain and prevent further injury, muscles will spasm and activate improperly.
Similarly, when a tissue is “overused” or in one position during a sustained posture (like sitting) the mechanics will be compromised and pain will often be the result.
Promoting the most efficient and effective movement patterns for your body is what we aim to do with exercise rehabilitation. This requires balancing the stability and mobility of your joints and tissues.
Mobility is your joint’s ability to move through a range of motion with no restrictions. Exercises focusing on mobility restore a full range of motion for a specific joint and often provide relief. Chiropractic adjustments and manual therapy are effective at restoring joint mobility as well.
Stability is the ability of your surrounding tissues to maintain control and support your joint through its range of motion. Exercises focusing on stability — including breathing and core activation — improve muscle activation and promote proper movement patterns.
This balance of mobility and stability allows for the most efficient and safe movement patterns for your body. It prevents overuse injuries while also guarding against traumatic injuries.
At breathe we recommend specific exercises that focus on restoring mobility while also increasing stability. The results? Decreased pain and improved overall performance.