Pliable Legos
Imagine Legos were somewhat pliable, yet they could still be snapped together to create nearly any structure. That image is similar to how we move. A series of parts that can be interchanged and can act uniformly when needed but also possess some agency in their capabilities. The modularity allows for independence to a degree, yet the interconnected nature promotes collaborative efforts.
Most, if not all, of us have dealt with some form of joint pain. The tendency is to treat that joint and hope that by improving its capacity, we will move better. In some cases, this works. That localized region was the problem. In most cases however, the area that seems problematic due to pain, is an outcome. It is the result of a system-wide movement pattern. If we return to our Lego analogy, we can alter the capabilities of one pliable Lego, and that change creates a problem downstream.
A biological example could be the knee. One of the most common regions to develop pain. The knee rests between the hip and the foot, so if we were to change how the foot strikes the ground, or how the hip is oriented we may react with a compensatory knee movement. The classic being a “knock knee” or in technical terms, a valgus knee. This often gets attributed to weak hips; however the deeper explanation is that our entire body is moving in a way that places high pressure on the knee. That joint is unable to fully bear the weight of the load, and tissues get damaged, with pain as an outcome. The outcome is designed to alter behavior and protect the tissues at hand. We can’t fault the knee, the modular nature of our bodies allows the knee to absorb the compensation to a degree, not without consequences though.
Our bodies are composed of parts, all connected and somewhat pliable in their nature. If we create a change in one place, a domino effect develops and all other regions respond accordingly. The ability to act somewhat independently gives every body part an opportunity to contribute to our movements, however it alters everything it is entangled with.
Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist
