“My body feel out of alignment.”
“My <insert healthcare professional here> said that my hips are off.”
“I think I just need to be adjusted.”
These are examples of a few of the comments that patients may express in physical therapy or other injury rehabilitations settings.
The belief that we are like a vehicle that needs to be re-aligned is often the fault of the healthcare industry, including physical therapy.
In the past, healthcare providers would tell their patients that a part of their body is out of alignment and needs to be adjusted to put it back in place. They explain that this is the reason for any discomfort that may be present.
Thankfully, this is no longer taught by most healthcare providers as this thought process has been disproven.
Our bodies are incredibly resilient.
Our joints do not simply fall out of alignment. In fact, our bodies are designed to move and if we were constantly “in line”, it would be impossible to move anywhere!
So, what is happening when an area of our body feels “off”?
As we perform a movement repetitively, compensations and movement limitations become more noticeable.
One area of the body may be moving excessively, while another area of the body may be moving too little. For example, if your ankle mobility is limited during a squat, you will move excessively at the hips to pick up the slack, causing more stress in that area. As a result, pain, or the feeling of being out of alignment may occur in the hips/pelvis.
If you feel “off” or have been told that you are out of alignment, the solution is likely to begin with discovering what movement limitations may have led to this feeling in the first place. This information can then be used to teach you strategies to move and feel better!
Are you interested in discovering what solutions may be right for you? Contact us to find out more about our physical therapy services!
