Home > Blog > Structural Imbalance Physiotherapy

book your physio appointment today

Structural Imbalance Physiotherapy



Perhaps you may have heard of this word "structural imbalance" before, especially when we're diagnosed of our physical

  • aches
  • pains
  • fatigue

The better way to explain and understand this is to start from the other side, "structural balance".

structural balance

Structural balance refers to the best and optimal position and positioning of our musculoskeletal system:

  • bones
  • joints
  • muscles
  • tendons
  • ligaments

This means that when there is a weight or load is applied or passed through that part of the body, this weight is effectively managed and loaded through the structure. "Effective" and "efficient" means to hold and move load well in a particular direction.

(Usually it can hold well in one or few directions, but not in another. Eg our knee joint can help to load and move us forward BUT not backwards.)

Structural imbalance is the opposite of this, hence, our

  • bones
  • joints
  • muscles
  • tendons
  • ligaments

isn't able to hold the load in the most effective and efficient position.

Same example above, our knee joint.

It's fantastic to hold and move the weight as we stand, walk, jog, run and pivot and the direction is generally to move forward. However, if we get a strong force or kick at the side or front of our knees, our knee joint can break and damage.

For any joints where two (or more) bones meet, they work best when the joint is able to move in a specific direction (eg our knees, elbows, toes). Other joints like our ankles, shoulders, hips, wrists, thumb and neck have a lot more movement.

When the structures that make the joints are

  • balanced
  • work synergistically well together

- then weight and load is effectively passed along when the bone is the strongest and any pressure on the joint is directly on the plane of movement - this is the most ideal position because load/stress is spread out balanced/equally.

what happens with structural imbalance

When the structures are not balanced, loads and stressed are not evenly spread out. More often than not, one side is bearing more load and weight.

Structural imbalance can be caused by

  • wearing out of joints
  • torn ligaments
  • dislocated joints due to trauma or laxity
  • etc

The beginning of a vicious cycle:

When there are joints or structures are imbalanced, they tend to start a painful and vicious cycle that will cause the condition to get worse and worse when unmanaged.

An example of this, if you have an imbalance due to your left knee having pain, your body will compensate with the other knee and body parts, causing your left knee being under-used and becoming weaker...aggravating the imbalance.

The imbalance causes more knee pain...and the cycle continues.

Note: imbalance structures themselves are not always painful.

Most adults have some levels of joint degeneration but don't feel any forms of pain, and this is normal part of ageing.

Pain only happens or set in when:

  • nerves are pinched/squeezed as the space between joints narrow from wearing out
  • when over-compensation causes some muscles to be over-used or overly-tight
  • etc


Back to Top

book your physio appointment today

Phoenix Rehab Singapore Core Services And Specializations

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and specialist rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.



HAND THERAPY &  SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, and requires Hand Therapy to increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations as well as custom made hand splints.

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes wrist and finger fractures, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and more.



CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility, and breathing. It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.



TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)



DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired , tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and shorten downtime. It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance.

Done regularly, it will keeps your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.



ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB). See our entire team here by location and specialization.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session. Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

do Tell Your Family, Friends And Colleagues About Us =)

We appreciate you as a patient and want you to know that the #1 (and only) way we grow as a clinic is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We do not rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the opportunity, please take the time to tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our clinic.

book your physio appointment today