A Wrinkle in Time

Wrinkles get a bad rap. Most of us associate them with aging or stress, we have a negative connotation. I won’t try to change your mind, but something to consider is that they reveal where stress is applied over time. Imaging like x-rays and MRIs are a good example of where wrinkles show up.  They tend to show things that don’t always look good per se, but they also don’t necessarily indicate pain. Those things are like wrinkles on the inside. We see them, but they are not correlated with pain.

As we develop and learn how to move, our bodies given architecture looks for the most efficient means of propelling around in our environment. Some strategies involve developing flat feet, others arthritic thumbs and yet others may find themselves with a case of astigmatism, like yours truly. There are times when these become problematic, but most of the time we find a way around them. They are products of utilizing strategies that help us navigate the world. No action is without tradeoffs and over time those tradeoffs leave their mark, just like in the case of wrinkles.

We can actually use these bits of information to come up with solutions if or when problems do arise. For instance, the creases at the ankle joint when someone is standing reveal where pressure resides. That information can be used to alter movement patterns via manual therapy work and exercise. Over time, those wrinkles may change in their presentation giving us a clue as to how they are reorganizing and moving differently.

Wrinkles happen to all of us given enough time. Aside from our notions about them aesthetically, they pose no harm. We develop them as our movement tendencies evolve throughout our life. As a physical therapist they provide me with evidence for how a patient may be getting around and how I may be able to solve their movement-related issue.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist