Body Awareness

Having body awareness is one of the best ways that we can stay healthy. Having “awareness” refers to knowing what your body feels like at your “normal” (hopefully good) state, so you know the difference when something isn’t right. At the end of the day, no matter how many years someone goes to Med School, you know your body best!

Here is some basic anatomy for you to learn to help understand your body better.

Joint: A joint is the part of the body where two or more bones meet to allow movement. There are immovable joints (like the joints of the skull), there are slightly moveable joints (like the vertebrae of the spine), and freely moveable joints.

Tendon: A tendon is a cord of strong, flexible tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Ligament: A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone.

Cartilage: Collagenous cells and proteins that provide support to boney areas where there is a need for flexibility and resistance.

We often describe our pain as if it’s coming from the muscle, but the case is often that it’s coming from the joint, tendon, or ligament of that muscle.  Another common assumption made from pain is that our muscles are too tight and that’s what’s causing the pain – more often the real case is that our muscles and everything around that area are too weak. This is why physical therapy focuses on building strength back to the area while maintaining elasticity for optimal performance.

At MedAmerica Rehab, we have a team of trained and licensed professionals ready to evaluate, diagnose, and treat impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. Our number one goal is to help you feel better.