When one group of muscles is significantly stronger than another, it can throw off your body’s balance and increase your odds of developing pain or suffering an injury. That’s where physical therapy steps in to help.
Muscle imbalances are common. They often develop due to repetitive movements from work, hobbies, or sports, leading to one set of muscles becoming overly developed while others languish. These imbalances then stress your joints and the overdeveloped muscle groups, making everyday movements harder than they need to be.
Fortunately, physical therapy at Kaizen Physical Therapy offers targeted exercises and techniques that bring your body back into alignment, improving both function and strength. Keep reading to learn how our customized treatment plans can help improve your strength, mobility, and overall health.
Two Examples of How Muscle Imbalances Develop (And What Physical Therapy Can Do To Correct Them)
Example 1: When Your Job Is to Blame
Chris (not his real name) was a financial analyst who spent hours working at his computer each day. His prolonged sedentary posture led to tightness in his chest muscles and weakness in the upper back and shoulder muscles–resulting in rounded shoulders and neck pain.
When Chris came to see us, we helped him correct these issues in two ways:
- We helped him stretch and mobilize his tight chest muscles.
- We strengthened his upper back and shoulder muscles, helping him restore his posture and relieve his discomfort.
However, we didn’t stop there. We also helped Chris make simple changes in his work life to prevent the issue from reoccurring. One of the most significant was encouraging Chris to set a timer and take movement breaks every half-hour. However, we also helped him make some ergonomic adjustments to his workstation, including his chair and computer monitor height.
Example 2: Correcting A Sports-Related Muscle Imbalance
Sometimes, the activities we love the most can lead to muscle imbalances. Monica (not her real name) was an avid runner, so much so that she found other types of exercise boring. As a result, her front thigh muscles (quadriceps) had become much stronger than her hamstrings (back thigh muscles).
The result? Monica developed runner’s knee, a persistent pain around her kneecap that flared up every time she went for a run. When Monica came to see us, we guided her through a targeted exercise program focused on strengthening her hamstrings and core muscles, which corrected the imbalance and helped relieve pressure from her knee.
Before she finished her program, we also helped her develop a cross-training program that she would actually enjoy. Monia started weight training two times a week, helping to keep her entire body strong for her runs.
Start Correcting Your Muscle Imbalances Today with Physical Therapy!
If you’re struggling with persistent pain or restricted mobility, a muscle imbalance could be to blame. A customized physical therapy program from Kaizen Physical Therapy could be exactly what you need to find relief.
Ready to get started? Schedule an appointment at our Seattle, WA clinic for your initial assessment!
