by Penny Will, Bodywork Practitioner, Movement Coach, and Visiting Master at AyurMa
Movement-based therapies play a crucial role in healing from pain and preventing its recurrence. These approaches emphasise proper movement patterns, strengthening weak areas, improving flexibility, and promoting overall physical fitness. Here’s how movement-based therapies contribute to pain healing and prevention:
1. Restoring Function: After an injury or during a painful episode, movement-based therapies focus on restoring normal movement patterns and functional abilities. Exercises are designed to address deficits in strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance, helping individuals regain their ability to perform daily activities without pain.
2. Strengthening Muscles: Weak muscles can lead to poor posture, joint instability, and increased stress on tissues. Movement-based therapies include targeted strength-training exercises to strengthen muscles surrounding affected joints and improve overall stability, reducing the risk of injury and pain.
3. Improving Flexibility and Range of Motion: Limited flexibility and restricted range of motion can increase injury risk and exacerbate existing pain. Movement-based therapies incorporate stretching and mobility exercises to improve flexibility, loosen tight muscles, and enhance joint mobility, alleviating pain and preventing future issues.
4. Promoting Proper Alignment and Posture: Poor posture and misalignment can contribute to musculoskeletal pain. Movement-based therapies focus on correcting posture imbalances and promoting proper alignment through exercises, postural awareness training, and ergonomic education, reducing the risk of pain and injury.
5. Encouraging Active Recovery and Rehabilitation: Movement-based therapies encourage active participation in the rehabilitation process, empowering individuals to take control of their recovery. Therapists guide patients through progressive exercise programs tailored to their needs and goals, accelerating healing and preventing chronic pain.
6. Facilitating Mind-Body Connection: Many movement-based therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, emphasize the mind-body connection and incorporate mindfulness practices. These approaches promote relaxation, stress reduction, and body awareness, helping individuals better understand and respond to pain signals, making healthier movement choices.
7. Incorporating Functional Training: Functional training focuses on exercises that mimic real-life movements, helping individuals develop strength, mobility, and coordination relevant to their daily lives. This reduces the risk of injury and enhances overall quality of life.
It’s essential to work with qualified healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists or certified personal trainers, to develop personalized movement-based programs tailored to specific needs and goals. These professionals provide guidance, support, and feedback to ensure safe and effective rehabilitation and pain prevention.
Penny will be in-residence as Visiting Master at AyurMa at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru from June 17 to July 19, 2024. Contact us to learn more about how you can harness movement-based therapies for effective pain management.