Our Difference

Movement Improvement’s philosophy, assessment, knowledge of human movement and intervention choices are what sets us apart from other allied health professionals.

“Think locally, but act globally”

At Movement Improvement, we strive to give you the greatest quality care. To do this, we understand the fundamentals of human movement and apply it to you. There is no miracle cure and we do not profess to be the only facet within your health care solution, but we will steer you in the right direction towards your goals.

Your body’s three muscular layers

Your global movement patterns are controlled by three separate layers of muscle - and they must work together for you to move pain-free.

Deep Muscles

Your stabilising foundation - multifidi, deep neck flexors, diaphragm, abdominal wall and pelvic floor. These set the base for everything else.

OUR PRIMARY FOCUS

Steering Muscles

Responsible for controlling joint position during movement - such as the rotator cuff in the shoulder. They only work well when the deep system is active.

Power Muscles

Your quads, glutes, pectorals - the big movers. Without a stable base from the deep and steering layers, these muscles compensate and create dysfunction.

Why treating the pain site alone doesn’t always work

Consider a knee complaint. The knee is a hinge joint - it bends and straightens. But the knee is only one component of many within your entire body system.

If your foot ‘rolls in’ too much, or your hip cannot absorb your body weight correctly, this can force the knee to operate outside its permitted range. This disperses weight incorrectly on the knee structures - even though your knee isn’t the real problem.

This is why we “think locally, but act globally.” We assess the entire chain to find where the real dysfunction lives.

Diagram showing full-body movement chain assessment at Movement Improvement Brisbane
Deep muscle stabilising system diagram at Movement Improvement Brisbane

Restoring your deep stabilising system

Our physiotherapists emphasise the importance of the deep muscle stabilising system for ensuring ideal movement patterns. This system has a ‘feed-forward mechanism’ - the brain triggers it automatically prior to any movement.

If this system is not functioning correctly, every purposeful movement you make is compromised. The five muscle groups of the deep stabilising system are:

01 Short intersegmental spinal muscles (multifidi)
02 Deep neck flexors
03 Diaphragm
04 Abdominal wall
05 Pelvic floor

The difference Movement Improvement can make

Without addressing root cause

  • Pain relief can be temporary
  • Injuries can recur or worsen
  • Long-term dysfunctional movement patterns can develop
  • Performance can plateau

With Movement Improvement

  • Restore ‘optimal’ movement patterns
  • Decrease pain, improve function
  • Minimise de-training and re-injury
  • Return to full performance - for good

Experience the Movement Improvement difference

Book your initial assessment today. No referral required - open Mon–Thu 8am–6pm, Fri 8am–5pm in Coorparoo.