Hello again!
Today, let’s talk about a concept that ties together many of the aches, pains, and discomforts we experience but often don’t fully understand—kinetic chain imbalances and how they lead to myofascial pain.
If you’ve ever wondered why one tight muscle can trigger pain somewhere entirely different, or why modern life seems to amplify these issues, this is the post for you.
What is the Kinetic Chain?
Think of your body as an interconnected chain of muscles, joints, and connective tissues. Each part doesn’t just work in isolation—it’s designed to function as part of a seamless, harmonious system.
The kinetic chain refers to how movements and forces flow through your body, from head to toe. For example:
When you walk, your hips, knees, and ankles collaborate to keep you stable and propel you forward.
When you lift something, your shoulders, back, and core work together to distribute the load safely.
In a healthy kinetic chain, everything works in balance, minimizing wear and tear. But when one link in the chain becomes weak, tight, or misaligned, the entire system starts to compensate, creating imbalances that lead to pain and dysfunction.
What is Myofascial Pain?
Now, let’s add another layer—myofascial pain.
Your myofascia is a network of connective tissue that surrounds and supports your muscles. It’s incredibly sensitive to tension and imbalances in the kinetic chain. When certain muscles become overworked or weak, the myofascia develops trigger points—tight knots that restrict movement, reduce blood flow, and cause pain.
Here’s the tricky part: myofascial pain doesn’t always stay local. Thanks to the interconnected nature of your kinetic chain, a trigger point in your neck might cause headaches, or a dysfunction in your hip might lead to knee pain.
How Modern Life Aggravates These Issues
Our bodies evolved to move—freely, dynamically, and often. Unfortunately, modern life doesn’t always let us live that way. Here’s how it throws the kinetic chain off balance:
Sitting for Hours
Whether it’s at a desk, in a car, or on the sofa, sitting shortens hip flexors, weakens glutes, and disrupts posture. These imbalances radiate upward and downward, straining the entire chain.
Repetitive Movements
Typing, texting, and even certain exercises can overuse specific muscle groups while leaving others underdeveloped. The result? A kinetic chain imbalance and myofascial tension.
Stress and Poor Breathing
Stress causes us to hunch our shoulders, clench our jaws, and breathe shallowly. These habits lead to chronic tightness in areas like the neck, shoulders, and lower back.
Lack of Natural Movement
Our ancestors climbed, squatted, stretched, and walked for miles. We’ve replaced these natural movements with gym routines or, worse, no activity at all, which fails to address the full kinetic chain.
How I Address Kinetic Chain Imbalances at JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy
In my clinic in Marylebone, I see countless cases where pain in one area is actually caused by an imbalance elsewhere. Here’s how I help clients untangle these issues:
Assessment of the Entire Kinetic Chain
I don’t just focus on where it hurts; I look at how your entire body moves, finding weak links and compensations.
Trigger Point Therapy
By targeting tight knots in the myofascia, I release tension and restore movement.
Myofascial Release
This technique frees up stiff connective tissue, improving blood flow and muscle function.
Personalized Exercises
Strengthening weak muscles and stretching overactive ones is key to rebalancing the kinetic chain. I’ll often recommend exercises like hip bridges, cat-cow stretches, or scapular retractions, depending on your specific needs.
Why This Matters for You
Understanding and addressing kinetic chain imbalances isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about restoring your body’s natural harmony. When your kinetic chain is balanced:
Movements feel effortless.
Pain disappears or significantly reduces.
Your body feels connected, strong, and capable.
Modern life might have thrown your kinetic chain off balance, but with the right approach, we can help you realign, reconnect, and feel better than ever.
Take the First Step Today
If you’re tired of chasing pain that never seems to go away, let’s dig deeper. At JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy in Marylebone, I combine cutting-edge techniques with a deep understanding of how the body works as a whole.
Book a session today, and let’s identify the root cause of your pain—and fix it for good.
Warm regards,
Paulius Jurasius
Founder, JANMI Soft Tissue Therapy
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