Why is Individualised, Considered and Targeted Movement Essential Following an Injury to Reduce the Risk of Chronic Pain
Heidi Clarke
Individualised, considered, and targeted movement programs are essential post-injury to reduce the likelihood of chronic pain for several reasons:
1. Prevents Compensatory Patterns
Avoiding Maladaptation: After an injury, the body often compensates by shifting movement patterns to avoid pain, which can lead to improper biomechanics. Over time, these compensatory patterns can cause additional strain on other parts of the body, leading to secondary injuries and changes to the nervous system potentially resulting chronic pain. Targeted movement helps reduce and correct these patterns early on.
2. Promotes Proper Healing
Optimising Tissue Repair: Specific movements, when performed at the right intensity and frequency, can stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of injured tissues. This ensures that the injury heals well, reducing the risk of long-term pain.
Preventing Scar Tissue Formation: Inadequate movement can lead to excessive scar tissue formation, which can restrict movement and could lead to chronic pain. Targeted exercises help in breaking down excess scar tissue and maintaining flexibility.
3. Restores Range of Motion and Flexibility
Preventing Stiffness: Post-injury, immobilisation or inactivity can lead to stiffness and loss of range of motion in not just the affected areas, but all areas of the body. This stiffness can contribute to changes in the signals of the body to the brain and hence lead to chronic pain. Individualised movement is tailored to safely restore flexibility and range of motion without exacerbating the injury.
4. Strengthens Supportive Muscles
Rebuilding Strength: Targeted exercises focus on strengthening the muscles around the injured area, which provides better support to the injured structure, reducing stress and pain. This helps prevent the development of chronic pain by ensuring that the injured area can handle daily activities and physical demands.
Balancing Muscle Function: Injury can lead to imbalances between muscle groups, where some muscles become overactive while others weaken. Targeted movement restores balance, which is crucial for proper function and pain prevention.
5. Reduces Fear-Avoidance Behaviours
Addressing Kinesiophobia: After an injury, fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is common. This fear can lead to avoidance of movement, resulting in further de-conditioning and pain. Individualised movement programs are designed to gradually reintroduce movement in a safe and controlled manner, helping to overcome fear and build confidence.
6. Prevents Chronic Inflammation and Pain Sensitisation
Controlling Inflammation: Inflammation is a natural response to injury, but chronic inflammation can lead to long-term pain. Considered movement helps to modulate the inflammatory response, preventing it from becoming chronic.
Reducing Pain Sensitivity: Prolonged inactivity or improper movement can lead to central sensitisation, where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to danger signals from the body. Targeted movement helps prevent this by promoting normal neural function and reducing hypersensitivity.
7. Customised to Individual Needs
Personalised Approach: Every injury and individual is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach can be ineffective or even harmful. An individualised movement plan considers the specific nature of the injury, the person’s overall health, their activity level, and their tolerance to movement, ensuring the most effective and safe rehabilitation.
Addressing Unique Challenges: Individualised movement plans can be adapted to address specific challenges, such as pre-existing conditions, age-related factors, or psychological barriers, all of which can influence recovery and the risk of chronic pain.
8. Enhances Long-Term Function and Quality of Life
Sustainable Recovery: Targeted movement ensures that recovery is not just about short-term pain relief but also about long-term function and mobility. It aims to restore the individual’s ability to perform daily activities and engage in the activities they enjoy without pain.
Preventing Recurrence: Properly rehabilitated injuries are less likely to recur, which reduces the overall risk of chronic pain and improves long-term quality of life.
Not all post-injury movement is created equal. Individualised, considered and targeted movement is critical for promoting proper healing and preventing the development of chronic pain by addressing the injury early to minimise any long-term limitations. It ensures a comprehensive approach to recovery that prioritises both physical and psychological well-being.
