Stability/Mobility Continuum

Regional Interdependence refers to the concept that seemingly unrelated impairments in a remote anatomical region may contribute to, or be associated with, the patient’s primary complaint (Wainner et al 2007)⁠⁠.

This concept of regional interdependence tells us that the motor system must be considered in its entirety. One way to look at this concept is the relationship between mobile and stable segments. The stability/mobility continuum describes the requirements of different joints in the body to be more stable or more mobile.

The body works in an alternating pattern of stable segments connected by mobile joints. This joint by joint analysis of the body helps to demonstrate that when this pattern is altered, dysfunction and compensation will occur.

The diagram demonstrates how a functional body should move.

What we tend to see when someone is in pain or dysfunction is the complete opposite. Here are some common patterns we see:⁠⁠

➡️ Stiff hips that do not move well⁠⁠
➡️ A core / lumbar spine that is “sloppy”⁠⁠
➡️ Thoracic spine that is stiff⁠⁠

This can lead to pain and dysfunction as the lumbar spine is required to sacrifice stability to obtain more motion, causing pain. Our role is to perform a thorough physical assessment to work out which parts of your body are not functioning optimally and contributing to your pain⁠⁠.

Head on over to our social media accounts for  some case study examples of this continuum in place and some snippets of how we assessed and managed to help our patients ‘Keep Active for Life’⁠⁠

Want to know how you are moving? Book in to have a Functional Movement Screen today!

Call 98732770⁠⁠ or book online https://bookings.nookal.com/bookings/location/39XKS ⁠.

Move well. Move Often.