Dysfunctions
Dys-function = Impaired or abnormal function (movement).
Optimal movement requires the integrated functioning of the entire human movement system. Proper muscle function and coordination between the muscles are essential to maintain precise joint motion and, ultimately, decrease excessive stress placed on the body. All of this translates into the efficient transfer of forces to accelerate, decelerate, and stabilize the interconnected joints of the body.
However, due to repetitive movement patterns, injury, disease, or a sedentary lifestyle, dysfunction can occur in one or more body region or system. When this occurs, muscle balance, muscle recruitment, or joint motion may become altered, leading to changes in structural alignment (posture), neuromuscular control (coordination), and movement patterns.
Dysfunction can also originate from hereditary postural disorders for example scoliosis. For more information on Postural Disorders please se below after Asymetrical Weight Shift.
To identify dysfunction we use movement assessments. Here at Optimove Clinic we prefer the Overhead Squat Assessment as it’s highly reliable.
Common signs of Dysfunction:
Feet Flatten
Flat feet, also known as pes planus or fallen arches, is a dysfunction where the arches on the inside of the feet flatten, allowing the entire sole of the foot to touch the floor.
The reasons are usually tight calfs and side of lower leg muscles, weak muscles that support the arch and inappropriate footwear.
Feet flatten can lead to excessive loads in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, lower back. It can cause pain, wear & tear and decrease the body’s ability to function/ perform optimally.
Feet turn-out
“Feet turn-out,” also known as “toe-out” or “duck feet,” refers to a dysfunction where the feet turn with the toes pointing outward instead of staying aligned with the knees.
Even though it appears that the problem is coming from the feet it actually comes from the knees and the muscles that cross the knees.
Feet turn-out can lead to excessive loads in the knees, hips & lower back. It can cause pain, wear & tear and decrease the body’s ability to function/ perform optimally.
Note that the image shows feet turn-out together with knees bow-in. The two dysfunctions are directly correlated and usually appear together but they also have some differences and could be treated separately.
Knees bow-in
When an individual’s knees bow inward, it is often referred to as “knees valgus” or “knee collapse.” This dysfunction involves the knees moving toward each other instead of tracking over the toes or maintaining a straight alignment. Even though it appears that the problem is coming from the knees, it usually comes from the hips or the lower-legs. It can lead to excessive loads in the knees, hips & lower back. It can cause pain, wear & tear and decrease the body’s ability to function/ perform optimally.
Knees bow-out
When the knees bow outward, it’s commonly referred to as “knees varus” or “knee flare.” This movement pattern involves the knees moving away from each other instead of tracking over the toes or maintaining a straight alignment. Even though it appears that the problem is coming from the knees, it usually comes from the hips or the lower-legs. It can lead to excessive loads in the knees, hips & lower back. It can cause pain, wear & tear and decrease the body’s ability to function/ perform optimally.
Asymmetrical weight shift
Asymmetrical Weight Shift (AWS) refers to an imbalance in the distribution of body weight between the left and right sides while performing a squat.
It is considered the most serious of the dysfunctions as asymmetry is very highly correlated with pain and injury. In addition, this sign is likely the “hallmark sign” of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD). It is estimated that 15-30% of Lower Back Pain symptoms are related to SIJD, an extraordinary number given the total number of patients presenting with LBP every year.
The reasons for an AWS are right to left differences between mobility and muscle activity. It can originate from the middle of the body, from the lower legs, the upper body or a combination of these. AWS can lead to excessive loads in the knees, hips & lower back. It can cause pain, wear & tear and decrease the body’s ability to function/ perform optimally.
Postural Disorders
Postural Dis-order = Abnormal posture
Postural disorders can be hereditary or can occur due to repetitive movement patterns, injury, disease, or a sedentary lifestyle.
When hereditary, the structure of the bones and/or the way the bones are connected is abnormal from birth.
Without the use of invasive methods, there is little that can be done to change hereditary malalignments from a certain age onwards, nevertheless we can try to prevent further divinations from proper alignment and limit the problems they can cause.
Postural disorders are usually assessed using the standing static postural assessment.
Common Postural Disorders:
Excessive Lordosis
Excessive lordosis, also known as hyperlordosis or swayback, is a postural issue characterized by an exaggerated inward curvature of the lumbar spine (lower back). In a neutral spine position, there is a natural curvature, but hyperlordosis involves an excessive arching of the lower back, leading to an increased curve.
This can lead to excessive loads in the lower back and because everything is connected it can also negatively affect other regions of the body.
Excessive Kyphosis
Excessive kyphosis, also known as hyperkyphosis or hunchback, is a postural issue characterized by an exaggerated forward curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back). In a neutral spine position, there is a natural kyphotic curve, but hyperkyphosis involves an abnormal and often rounded posture of the upper back.
This can lead to excessive loads in the upper back, neck & shoulders, and because everything is connected it can also negatively affect other regions of the body.
Scoliosis
In a neutral spine position,when seen from the front or the back, the spine should appear straight. Scoliosis is a condition in which a person’s spine has an abnormal curve. The curve is usually “S”- or “C”-shaped over three dimensions. It can affect people of any age, from babies to adults, but most often starts in children aged 10 to 15.
This can lead to excessive loads in the whole spine and surrounding structures, and because everything is connected it can also negatively affect other regions of the body.
Forward head posture
Forward head posture, also known as anterior head carriage or “text neck,” is a common postural issue characterized by the head extending forward relative to the shoulders and the spine. In a neutral position, the head should be aligned directly over the shoulders, but in forward head posture, the head is positioned in front of the body. This can lead to various musculoskeletal problems and discomfort.
