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How much range does your body REALLY have? And are you always extending past it?

Sep 29
2 min read

After the above video, maybe you're seeing that where your body truly stops is not actually full motion (which is the case for practically everyone).  That being true, think about how regularly forcing past your true range stresses each joint (and surrounding joints) and more so when adding resistance when we go to work out.  Repeat that on a consistent basis (which, again, is practically everyone) and it's not confusing anymore as to why we develop pain and are "not sure why it happened"; which also extends to becoming chronic pain.


The bigger pattern I see is the activity is blamed: "Oh, I can't do squats anymore" or "I just can't run anymore" or "I have to avoid shoulder presses now".


If your body was doing movement within its true ranges, would it still hurt?  Furthermore, if your body received manual therapy to correct to full motion, would you have to avoid any activity?


If seeking manual physical therapy isn't on the horizon, at least stick to available range to decrease additional stress to the body.  If seeking manual physical therapy IS on the horizon, you will find you CAN do activities you love again without feeling increased pain during or afterwards.

Try this (and maybe emphasize the one side that is 'higher' or 'rotated back') to see if it helps even out range of motion for the shoulders.

Best physical therapy practice involves assessing what your body can do and providing manual therapy to restore what's lost. It is more than an exercise/stretch regimen, it's biomechanics, posture, core, joint physics, etc. Make sure your physical therapy involves the full gamut of assessment and intervention, but also that it evolves as you evolve. Wholistic physical therapy shouldn't be the same content each treatment.


 
 
 

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