The Philosophy Behind Functional Biomechanics
To understand the concept of functional biomechanics it is important to know that all human movement is based upon the functioning of the neuromusculoskeletal system (NMS). Simply put any and all movement depends on the many nerves, muscles, and bones operating efficiently, in the way they were designed, to allow us to do everything from walking and running to daily household activities and sports. The different parts that make up the neuromuscular system rely upon one another to do their job as designed in order to be able to carry out their specific tasks. The science of how these systems interact and affect one another in a fluid relationship of kinetic chain reactions is the study of Functional Biomechanics.
What does Functional Biomechanics Have to Do With Chiropractic Care?
Understanding how something properly operates in the most optimal conditions allows for an easier determination of the cause of areas of breakdown.
For example, a football coach notices that his go to play doesn’t seem to be working out the way it normally does. He knows in detail where all of his players should be and the actions each of them should take. All of the players on the team are still there and playing, but the outcome is sloppy and the play isn’t a smooth as it once was. When the coach breaks down each player as a part of the play (or system) rather than on the whole, he is able to identify that the breakdown is with the initial pass. His quarterback that was once throwing 35 yards lately has only been able to throw half that distance. This has caused his receiver to adjust his location, which in turn has caused a whole set of changes amongst the other players resulting in the breakdown of the play on the whole.
It is the same concept with functional biomechanics. When all of the players in our NMS are operating smoothly we are pain free and able to carry out tasks as usual, but when just one player isn’t operating normally, the process can be affected. Both repetitive motion injuries from everyday life and traumatic injuries can easily alter the smooth functioning of our systems. Our bodies are made to adapt and it is this ability to adapt that can change the normal processes our bodies were designed to carry out. However, when part of our NMS undergoes a stressor it may adapt in a way that alters it’s ideal fundamental action negatively, which can often lead to dysfunction rather than function, in its attempt to compensate.
For instance a joint, muscle or tissue that has undergone injury may in its simplest effect cause pain and an inability to complete normal tasks because of restricted motion. In even more advanced scenarios, an injury or instability to one area may lead to dysfunction in another area. For example, a common cause for low back pain is simply a chronic habit of “sucking in” your stomach. You may think that having a six pack or tight core muscles is a sign of a stable spine, but the simple act of sucking in your belly deactivates the diaphragm. When the diaphragm isn’t active it creates a lack of sufficient pressure that is needed to stabilize the lower back and, inevitably, this lack of stability causes pain. Chronic instability of the lower back can lead to irritation of the joints, disc bulges, disc herniations, and nerve pain into the hips and or legs (sciatic pain).
An inability to properly function pain-free or an inability to move with the highest range of motion is just the starting point of the information we will assess and evaluate before we develop a treatment plan for your injury. Being able to provide cutting edge chiropractic care relies on an in-depth knowledge of the science of functional biomechanics. It is only with this knowledge that we can identify the cascade effect a seemingly isolated injury can have on the rest of your body. We are skilled at identifying the underlying cause of breakdown within the normal process of functional movement that is causing you pain and at developing treatment plans that will help you avoid further injury. These core fundamentals are what allow us to not only treat your pain, but also to revive performance, alignment, movement, and function. Redefining human performance by restoring the functional aspect of each body’s biomechanics is our primary goal.
