The common expression that “movement is medicine” gets thrown around a lot to motivate you to move. As if simply moving more is going to solve your problems. While there is some truth to this, have you ever considered that there is such a thing as moving incorrectly?
Yes, moving more is good for your body- going for a walk outside, resistance training, recreational sports can all provide a benefit… if your muscles are working correctly.
Let’s consider if you did all of the above but while you were doing it your body was using the wrong muscles, you were in a bad posture, and your movement patterns were sloppy.
Your body adapts, or maladapts, to specific imposed demands- you can research the “SAID principle” to learn more. Basically whatever you put your body through it’s going to create muscle memory around that. If you have a posture with a sway back that causes lower back pain, and then you exert yourself, you’re training your muscles to keep reinforcing that problem. So if you move poorly to begin with, moving more might not give you the medicinal benefits you’re expecting.
Instead, we recommend taking a more intentional approach to correcting your posture and your mechanics first, so that when you do move, your body is in a better state of balance, or equilibrium, and capable of sustaining your function long term.
