Repairing Core Performance: Looking Beyond the Pain
When someone is in pain, the natural reaction is to focus on where it hurts.
Your back hurts.
Your shoulder hurts.
Your hip hurts.
Your knee hurts.
That location is important.
But sometimes there is more to the story.
The body does not work as a collection of completely separate parts. Muscles, joints, connective tissue and movement patterns work together.
That is why one of the phrases I use at OmassageT.com is:
Pain Relief by Improving/Repairing Core Performance.
For me, this means looking beyond the location of discomfort and considering how the body is working as a whole.
What Does “Core Performance” Mean?
When most people hear the word core, they think about abdominal muscles.
But the core is much more than your abs.
The core is part of the system that helps connect your upper and lower body.
The pelvis, spine, diaphragm and surrounding muscles all participate in stability and movement.
Core performance is therefore not simply about having strong abdominal muscles.
It is about how the body coordinates and controls movement.
Why Look Beyond the Pain?
The place where you feel pain is important information.
But it does not necessarily tell you everything about why you are experiencing discomfort.
For example, someone may feel discomfort around the knee while also having changes in how they move through the hip, pelvis or ankle.
Someone with shoulder discomfort may also have changes in the way they use the upper back or core.
This does not mean the pain is always caused by another area.
It means the body works together.
Movement Is a Chain
Think about walking.
Your foot contacts the ground.
Your ankle responds.
Your knee bends and straightens.
Your hip moves.
Your pelvis shifts.
Your core helps control the trunk.
Your spine and upper body respond.
A movement that looks simple from the outside involves many parts of the body.
Running, jumping and changing direction require even more coordination.
The Pelvis and Core
The pelvis is an important connection between the upper and lower body.
The hips attach to it.
The spine connects above it.
The legs move in relationship to it.
The muscles surrounding the pelvis contribute to stability and movement.
When someone changes how they move because of pain or an old injury, the pelvis may participate differently.
Again, this does not mean the pelvis is necessarily the cause.
It is simply part of the movement system.
Your Diaphragm Is Part of the Core
Breathing is also connected to core function.
The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration.
It also participates in pressure and trunk control.
When someone is stressed or uncomfortable, their breathing pattern may change.
That can influence how they hold and move their body.
This is one reason I pay attention to breathing and the diaphragm when considering whole-body movement.
Core Performance Is About More Than Strength
A person can have strong abdominal muscles and still have movement problems.
Strength is important.
But so are:
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Stability
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Mobility
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Balance
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Coordination
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Flexibility
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Breathing
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Recovery
Core performance involves how these elements work together.
Pain Can Change Movement
When something hurts, the body often adapts.
You may shift your weight.
You may shorten your stride.
You may avoid a certain position.
You may tighten muscles.
You may use one side more than the other.
These changes can be useful protective responses.
But they can also become part of your movement pattern.
Previous Injuries Can Matter
An old injury can sometimes continue to influence movement long after the original injury occurred.
A runner who injured one leg may continue to favor the other side.
Someone who injured their hip may change how they sit or stand.
Someone who experienced back pain may become more cautious with bending.
These changes are not necessarily conscious.
The body can learn new movement strategies.
Looking at the Whole Body
This is one reason I take a whole-body approach to orthopedic massage.
If someone comes in with hip discomfort, I may consider the relationship between the:
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Feet
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Ankles
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Knees
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Hips
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Pelvis
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Core
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Spine
The same principle can apply to upper-body complaints.
The shoulder, upper back, neck and core all participate in movement.
Orthopedic Massage Is Not Just About the Painful Spot
An orthopedic massage session does not necessarily mean working only on the exact location where someone feels discomfort.
Depending on the individual, other areas may be relevant to the overall movement pattern.
The goal is not to assume that another area is responsible.
The goal is to understand how the body is functioning together.
Pain-Free Orthopedic Massage
My approach is pain-free orthopedic massage.
I do not believe that massage needs to hurt to be effective.
Comfort allows communication.
Communication allows the session to be adjusted to the individual.
If the pressure or position does not feel right, the client should say so.
The body should not be forced.
Fascia and Core Performance
Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds and connects structures throughout the body.
Some people describe areas as feeling tight, restricted or “bound up.”
When appropriate, I may incorporate myofascial techniques into an orthopedic massage session.
The work is performed comfortably and is individualized to the client.
Mobility and Core Performance
A strong core is not enough if the body cannot move appropriately.
Mobility allows the body to move.
Stability helps control that movement.
Balance helps the body maintain control as it changes position.
Flexibility contributes to available range of motion.
Strength allows the body to produce force.
All of these qualities can contribute to movement.
Balance and Stability
Balance and stability are particularly important to core performance.
Consider standing on one leg.
Your foot, ankle, knee, hip, pelvis and trunk all participate.
Now consider running.
The demands become much greater.
Every stride requires the body to create movement while maintaining control.
Athletes and Core Performance
Athletes often understand this concept intuitively.
A football player needs to produce force while changing direction.
A runner needs to stabilize the body with each stride.
A gymnast needs strength, mobility, balance and control.
A weightlifter needs to create force while maintaining appropriate positioning.
Performance requires more than isolated muscle strength.
Everyday Core Performance
You do not need to be an athlete to care about core performance.
You use your core when you:
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Stand
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Walk
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Sit
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Bend
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Reach
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Lift
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Carry
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Climb stairs
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Get in and out of a chair
Core performance is part of everyday movement.
Why Better Movement Matters
The goal of looking beyond pain is not to ignore the painful area.
It is to understand the larger picture.
If you only focus on where something hurts, you may miss important information about how the person is moving.
Understanding movement can help create a more individualized approach.
Improving Strength, Power and Flexibility
My philosophy at OmassageT.com is:
Improving Strength, Power and Flexibility.
These qualities are connected.
Strength helps produce force.
Power helps produce force quickly.
Flexibility contributes to range of motion.
Mobility allows controlled movement.
Stability helps control the body.
Balance helps maintain position.
Recovery allows the body to adapt.
Pain Relief by Improving/Repairing Core Performance
This brings us back to the phrase:
Pain Relief by Improving/Repairing Core Performance.
I use this phrase to describe a way of thinking about the body.
Instead of asking only:
“Where does it hurt?”
I also want to consider:
“How is the body moving?”
“How is the body balancing?”
“How is the body stabilizing?”
“How are the upper and lower body working together?”
Those questions can provide additional context.
Repairing Does Not Mean a Quick Fix
The word “repairing” should not be interpreted as a promise that massage can repair every injury or medical condition.
The body is complex.
Some problems require medical care.
Some require physical therapy.
Some require strengthening.
Some require changes in activity.
Massage can be one part of a larger approach when appropriate.
Knowing When to Seek Medical Care
Persistent or severe pain should not simply be ignored.
Medical evaluation may be appropriate for:
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Significant or worsening pain
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New weakness
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Numbness
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Significant swelling
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Loss of function
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Serious injury
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Sudden changes in movement
Massage should complement appropriate healthcare rather than delay it.
Core Performance and Recovery
Recovery is also part of performance.
The body needs time to adapt to physical demands.
Sleep, nutrition, hydration, rest, training and mobility all contribute.
Massage may be another tool that supports recovery for some people.
Why Clients May Feel Different After a Session
Some clients describe feeling more open after orthopedic massage.
Some feel lighter.
Some feel more balanced.
Some say they feel taller.
Others describe a sensation of floating.
These are individual experiences.
Massage does not literally make someone taller or cause someone to float.
Changes in tension, posture, comfort and body awareness may change how someone experiences their body.
The Goal Is Better Movement
The goal of looking beyond pain is ultimately movement.
Movement that is comfortable.
Movement that is controlled.
Movement that is appropriate for your activity and your body.
For an athlete, that may mean returning to training.
For a runner, it may mean getting back to running.
For someone with everyday discomfort, it may simply mean walking, working or exercising more comfortably.
A Whole-Body Approach to Orthopedic Massage
At OmassageT.com, my approach to orthopedic massage considers the body as a connected system.
The feet connect to the legs.
The legs connect to the hips.
The hips connect to the pelvis.
The pelvis connects with the core and spine.
The upper body contributes to movement and balance.
The goal is not to assume that one area is responsible for another area’s pain.
The goal is to understand the relationships involved in movement.
Orthopedic Massage in Grapevine, Texas
At OmassageT.com, I provide pain-free orthopedic massage therapy in Grapevine, Texas with a focus on whole-body movement, balance, stability, mobility, flexibility and recovery.
If you are experiencing discomfort, the location of the pain is important—but understanding how your body moves as a whole can provide additional perspective.
Orthopedic Massage Therapy in Grapevine, Texas
OmassageT.com
110 S Barton #6
Grapevine, Texas 76051
817-305-6548
Improving Strength, Power and Flexibility
Pain Relief by Improving/Repairing Core Performance
