29/07/2026
The Motor Adaptation Cycle
When we get injured, we learn quickly how to move to protect the sore area. This “protective mode” is helpful at first, but it is possible that it creates new problems especially if newly learnt unnatural movement patterns persist even after the original problem has resolved. In the worse scenario: muscles tighten, joints stiffen, and movement becomes less natural. Over time, these altered patterns can overload other tissues, leading to chronic pain or discomfort which can initiate further compensatory movement or posture, and so on and so on — a cycle known as motor adaptation.
Think of how we may limp a bit to protect a sore ankle. If we continue to limp after our ankle is healed perhaps we will end up with a sore hip or a sore knee.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic adjustments restore normal joint motion and help relax the muscles. This means that any protective behaviours or compensations are less likely to become permanent. As the original pain-provoking injury heals we can more likely return to our normal patterns of movement and avoid unwanted complications.
When we get injured, we learn quickly how to move to protect the sore area. This “protective mode” is helpful at first, but it is possible that it creates new problems especially if newly learnt unnatural movement patterns persist even after the original problem has resolved. In the worse scenario: muscles tighten, joints stiffen, and movement becomes less natural. Over time, these altered patterns can overload other tissues, leading to chronic pain or discomfort which can initiate further compensatory movement or posture, and so on and so on — a cycle known as motor adaptation.
Think of how we may limp a bit to protect a sore ankle. If we continue to limp after our ankle is healed perhaps we will end up with a sore hip or a sore knee.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
Chiropractic adjustments restore normal joint motion and help relax the muscles. This means that any protective behaviours or compensations are less likely to become permanent. As the original pain-provoking injury heals we can more likely return to our normal patterns of movement and avoid unwanted complications.
