Movement Therapy
About Movement Therapy
Movement Therapy is simply movement re-education. A process of restoring good function, it is a long-term process of remodeling using biomechanically sound movement that addresses physical issues and conditions. We want to restore balance, mobility and strength. Value is in coordinating and building all the systems at the same time. If injuries are involved, we want to promote healing with adequate time and boundaries. From the bracing fear-based pattern to a support pattern.
We train the whole human, conscious, midbrain and brainstem. Various techniques are utilized to redirect the body into new movement patterns that address the issues bringing it into alignment without pain. The approach consists of specific exercises geared towards tuning the firing of specific muscles in a particular order and re-teaching the body how to produce a movement with precision and accuracy. The goal is beautiful movement sequencing where there is support from all around and ease. There is balance across all myofascial structures. You can initiate movement in any direction. You can breathe anywhere, anyplace and anytime.
Take a look at this delightful baby and how she moves!
The Pilates Approach
5 Basic Principles
Breathing
Emphasis is on 3-D breath especially into the posterior (back) and lateral (sides) aspects of the rib cage as that is where you have more efficient gas exchange. Exhaling deeply can also help activate deep support and stabilizing muscles such as transversus abdominis. This breathing pattern helps avoid unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders and brings the body into a state of relaxation. The rib cage opens “up and out” during inhale promoting spinal extension and closes “down and in” during exhale promoting spinal flexion.
Pelvic Placement
Neutral pelvic placement means there is a soft natural lordotic curve of the lumbar spine (not excessive). If you were lying on your back, the ASIS on either side (bony hip protrusion) and pubic symphysis would lie on the same horizontal plane parallel to the floor. This position promotes good shock absorption and efficient movement patterns throughout the body. Imprinted position is where there is a slight posterior pelvic tilt with lumbar flexion (think flat or a little round). The degree of contact between the lumbar spine and the mat will differ from person to person. The primary muscles we want to be using are the Obliques.
Rib-Cage Placement
The abdominal muscles attach to the lower ribs and stabilize both the rib cage and the spine during movement. We want to monitor thoracic alignment and prevent the ribs from popping forward or shifting in any direction which can cause pinching or undue compression.
Scapular Movement and Stabilization
It is important to balance the surrounding muscles and control the movement of the shoulder blade at the start of every movement. The Shoulder blade anchors the arms on the spine and without proper stabilization, it places undue stress and causes the muscles of the neck and shoulders to overwork. The scapula glides on the upper back in various directions: elevation (upward), depression (downward), protraction (forward), Retraction (inward), upward rotation (arm reaching overhead) and downward rotation (arm reaching behind the back). Shoulder blade should lie flat on the back gliding across the ribs without winging out.
Head and Cervical Spine Placement
Cervical spine or neck should have a similar soft and natural lordotic curve like the lower back. The head and neck always follow the movement of the spine whether it is in neutral, flexion, extension, lateral flexion (side-bending) and or rotation. The neck has a special job of always counter balancing the weight of the head respective to the body. We want to make sure we’re not jamming the chin into the chest and the head and neck are supported properly at all times.
“Attention to detail is how we heal.”
I look forward to connecting with you soon!