Movement Patterns

Ever given much thought to the way you move?  Everyone develops a certain pattern of how they move throughout their day and even through certain activities. Sometimes this pattern can help us be more efficient when moving from point A to point B.  Sometimes it can allow us to do something we wouldn't otherwise be able to do.  But sometimes, we develop compensatory movement patterns without realizing it and sometimes these patterns may make it more likely that we feel discomfort or even injure ourselves. 

For example, many people would likely tell you not to lift with your back. However, a person can lift with their back (ie deadlift) safely with proper technique.  On the other hand, the common flexed back posture when lifting is a common strategy that dominates most people's movement patterns and may lead to injury.  Once you understand how to hinge through your body's larger joints & rely on powerful muscles, you can  decrease your likelihood of injuring yourself. This basic principle applies to everyone with virtually every activity level and hobby. From gardening to mountain biking  to playing pickelball and even something as simple as unloading a dishwasher. 
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Our movement pattern dictates which tissue is stressed.  Shifting loads onto tissue that can accept this stress and away from tissue that cannot, we can improve and maintain our physical health.