What is Altered Motor Control and How Does It Lead To Pain?
Most pain that begins without an obvious injury or trauma to the body is caused by altered motor control. Pain like this is called mechanical pain, which refers to pain that arises from the damage or irritation of structures of the musculoskeletal system, such as muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. It is typically triggered by movement, pressure, contracting, or stretching of the affected tissues.
This is the cause of many issues that begin without a notable injury, and usually begin with mild symptoms and progressively worsen over time ultimately leading to a significant injury. Unfortunately, many people think that a physical therapist is someone you call only after this injury has occurred in order to rehab the issue. But, many of these injuries can be prevented while improving your body’s ability to move, exercise, and perform at its best.
Altered motor control refers to changes or disruptions in the normal patterns of movement and coordination of the musculoskeletal system. It can occur due to various factors such as injury, pain, neurological conditions, muscle imbalances, or inadequate motor learning. Altered motor control can lead to pain and injuries through several mechanisms:
Muscular imbalances: Altered motor control can result in imbalances between the agonist and antagonist muscle groups. For example, if certain muscles become weak or inhibited, other muscles may compensate by becoming overactive or tight. These imbalances can create abnormal stresses on the joints and tissues, leading to pain and an increased risk of injury.
Joint instability: When the muscles responsible for stabilizing a joint are not functioning optimally, joint instability can occur. This instability can lead to excessive or abnormal movement within the joint, increasing the risk of injury to the ligaments, tendons, and other supporting structures. Instability can also cause pain as the joint may not be properly supported during movement.
Faulty movement patterns: Altered motor control can result in the development of faulty movement patterns or compensatory strategies. This means that the body may adopt inefficient or abnormal movement patterns to compensate for weaknesses or pain. These faulty movement patterns can place excessive stress on certain tissues, leading to pain and tissue damage over time.
Reduced proprioception: Proprioception is the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and force exertion. Altered motor control can affect proprioception, leading to a decreased ability to accurately perceive joint position and movement. This can result in errors in movement execution and an increased risk of injury.
Overuse and tissue overload: Altered motor control can lead to certain muscles being overused while others are underutilized. This imbalance can result in excessive loading and stress on specific tissues, such as tendons and ligaments. Over time, this can cause tissue overload, inflammation, and ultimately pain and injury.
Proper assessment, diagnosis, and targeted interventions provided at Savvy Physical Therapy are essential in addressing altered motor control and minimizing the risk of pain which can lead to a more significant injury.
The best time to see Savvy Physical Therapy is before it turns into a significant injury. Even if your pain is mild and only happens with certain movements or activities, you will benefit from an assessment and treatment plan to prevent that injury from ever happening in the first place.