How the Body Moves

In order to understand how we move, it is essential to understand the organization of our physical structure. This includes how our bones are aligned, how our tendons and ligaments connect, and how our nervous system wires everything together. When viewed in this manner, it is clear that our body parts are not haphazardly constructed. Instead, we are exceptionally engineered.

In this course, I review the 8 fundamental movements that are the basis of all movement. It is my hope that through these lessons you will see how the body is organized and connected.

Movement Concepts

How Movement is Integrated:

• Movement is built upon several systems working together (neurological, muscular and skeletal/articular in particular)
• Neurological system is the wiring system (force-couple relationship, muscle recruitment, muscle tone, rate of firing)
• Joints and muscles function best when their length/tension relationship is balanced
• Instead of isolated muscle functions, we need to think in terms chains of synergistic muscles neurologically wired together
• The body moves most efficiently using connected lines of tension
  • The connected lines of tension help distribute and off load forces
  • Movement compensations or deviations out of the fascial chain of motion, occur when weakness or tightness exists
  • There is no tightness on one-side vs. weakness on opposite side of joint, they are mutually connected
• All lines of tension run through the core (the body's center of gravity)