INJURY

Why Do Injuries Occur?

The body develops based on how it is used. If posture and movements respect human biomechanics, the body’s tensegrity will create built-in sustainability. If a heavy load is added at one point, it is distributed globally and managed by the system as a whole. However, if faulty posture and movement patterns exist, chronic tensions accumulate, the body’s ability to manage forces with efficiency diminishes, and the risk of injury increases.

Deviation from normal posture leads to altered length-tension relationships of the muscular system, compressing the spine and joints. The most common areas of injury include the knees, hips, lower back, shoulders, and neck. If faulty movement patterns continue, strains on the muscular system, compression of the spine and joints, and stress on tendons and ligaments continue to increase until an acute pain is realized.

Get to the Source

Indicators that demonstrate risks of injury include postural deviation, respiratory inefficiency, faulty movement patterns, limited range of motion, and muscular imbalances. The key to injury prevention and correction is the same — address the source by implementing movement patterns that replicate human biomechanics and involve the entire body.

All machinery is designed to work with a specific alignment. When a machine’s design parameters are compromised or its parts become misaligned, mechanisms within the machine do not function properly — parts begin to grind, and accelerated wear and tear occurs as the result. For example, driving a misaligned car creates accelerated wear and tear on the vehicle. Fixing or replacing deteriorating parts provides a temporary solution before the wear and tear recurs. However, addressing the source of the issue provides a lasting solution. In this case, the car’s alignment must be corrected so all the parts can function together in synergy, restoring the car’s mechanical efficiency.

The Entire Body Must Be Balanced

The same goes for the human body. The spine and the major weight-bearing joints are designed to work within a specific design and alignment. If posture is compromised, then other areas within the body will not function correctly. Releasing a chronic imbalance locally will be resisted by the globally adopted pattern. To effectively bring balance locally, balance must be achieved globally. To completely address any issue in the body, the entire body must be considered.