Freedom to Move: Movement Therapy for Spinal Pain and Injuries (PDF) 2018

Freedom to Move is an evidence informed practical resource which provides movement therapists of all disciplines with an exercise blueprint for rehabilitating spinal pain and many related injuries. In essence, Freedom to Move describes what goes wrong in the spine and what to do about it. It integrates the applicable contemporary neuroscience around spinal movement and pain with the clinical evidence and understanding gained from the authors enquiring practice, and her exploration of various movement approaches and their contribution – or otherwise, to spinal well-being. It examines the relationship between healthy torso structure and functional control and describes and explains the authors model of spinal dysfunction the remediation of which forms the basis of the authors model of care for the spine, The Key Approach. The books main focus is on a practical, therapeutic exercise/movement approach which addresses the common movement faults and dysfunctions observed in people with spinal pain and stiffness. In particular, the Fundamental Patterns of control are introduced as important, innate key movements which naturally provide the sound foundations necessary for a healthy spine but which have commonly been lost in the movement repertoire of people with spinal pain syndromes. These are re-established and reincorporated into various poses, movements and stretches by way of specifically directed mindful movement explorations. The client is helped to regain more optimal function and move out of pain – with more freedom. The approach is applicable within all industry models of teaching therapeutic movement: in the rehabilitation of spinal pain within physiotherapy, Pilates and Yoga; and in the fitness industry, for injury prevention, health promotion and optimising spinal health in exercise programmes in general.