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Writer's picturecharlesksc

Why Corrective Exercise Isn’t “Exercise” (As You May Know It)

Updated: Nov 2, 2022


Woman holding back in pain as she stands in front of her desk

Moving without pain is not about working up a sweat

Let’s face it, we’re all a little off balance. Most of us think we have a “stronger” side in either the arms or legs because we tend to be more co-ordinated on that side. Whether you’re right- or left-handed, you probably have a “favourite” or leading leg when you climb some steps and may even subconsciously stand with your weight more on one hip than the other.


Our current way of life is inherently unhealthy when it comes to our overall wellbeing. Many of the aches and pains of daily life can be attributed to tight muscles, movement dysfunctions, and similar issues. A sore lower back may be related to weakness in core muscles, while neck pain can be caused by poor posture, for example.


The human body is designed to move but we are more sedentary than ever before, and according to JustStand an average adult now sits for around 12 hours a day! The resulting stiffness, poor balance and body co-ordination are all common problems that can lead to pain and injury if left untreated.


What is Corrective Exercise?

Woman receiving corrective exercise supervised by female therapist

What do you think when you hear the term “corrective exercise”?

If you’re only focusing on the word “exercise” and feeling a little nervous at the prospect, then you can relax! Corrective exercise is exactly how it sounds: it’s any type of exercise that helps correct some faulty movement or positioning in your body that contributes to or causes pain, injury, or other physical discomfort.


Corrective exercise is a comprehensive, all inclusive, holistic approach to healing the body from pain. The goal is to improve the movement and positioning of your body to improve both athletic performance and everyday life. It takes an understanding of anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics to address these imbalances and work out what compensations you need to improve the overall quality of movement during workouts and in everyday living.


A practitioner of corrective exercise like me will identify poor patterns in your body movement and look for the underlying causes of imbalances and faulty movement patterns. Then I will determine the simplest range of gentle exercises tailored specifically to you that will correct them, which definitely does NOT mean a session in the gym!


What are the benefits of corrective exercise?

Young male receiving corrective exercise from a female therapist

There are many benefits to be gained from a programme of corrective exercises, here are just a few.


1. Improved Posture

Your posture is the way you hold your body when you are standing or sitting. Poor posture can cause pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. It can also lead to breathing problems and fatigue. Corrective exercises can help improve your posture by stretching tight muscles and strengthening weak muscles. This can help to restore normal movement patterns and improve overall function.

2. Improved Balance & Co-ordination

Balance is the ability to maintain your equilibrium while standing or moving while co-ordination is the ability to use your muscles together correctly. Corrective exercises can help improve your balance by strengthening your muscles and improving your co-ordination. This can help you remain stable while standing or moving, and it can help prevent falls and injuries.

3. Relieving Pain

Pain-free movement relies on building and conditioning a solid foundation of efficient mobility, stability, and motor control. Corrective exercises will address the underlying causes of your pain and can provide relief for numerous types of pain, such as sciatica, joint, and neck pain.

4. Recovering From - and Preventing - Injury

Injuries hold us back in so many ways. Even for non-athletes, being injured often means being side-lined from life. A good corrective exercise program can prevent injuries by fixing dysfunctions of movement. A well-designed program can also help you recover more quickly from an injury by balancing muscle strength and improving joint movements.

5. Overall Improvement in Function, Performance, Fitness & Wellbeing

Having a good range of motion, strong muscles, and good co-ordination can help you move more efficiently, perform better at sports, and give you an overall sense of wellbeing and feeling fit and healthy, which also contributes to positive mental health.


Work with Me

I will create a corrective exercise programme that is targeted to your specific needs and objectives, no matter what they are. I can also help you improve specific areas of fitness, whether that’s to move with ease, work out more efficiently or just live every day without pain.


To find out more please contact me or book your Personal Pain Relief Programme online.


Live the life you want, not a life in pain.

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