If you’re struggling to see results from your fitness routine or dealing with chronic pain and injury, you may be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: corrective exercise. According to Michele Bond, M.S., a renowned Kinesiologist and fascia expert, corrective exercise is a powerful tool that can benefit everyone from elite athletes to weekend warriors.
“Corrective exercise is not just for people with injuries or limitations,” says Bond. “It’s a proactive approach to optimizing movement, preventing pain, and enhancing performance. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked in mainstream fitness programs.”
So, what exactly is corrective exercise? Put simply, it’s a targeted approach to identifying and addressing imbalances and dysfunctions in the body. These imbalances can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, repetitive stress, previous injuries, and even lifestyle habits like prolonged sitting.
“Our bodies are incredibly adaptable, but they can also develop compensatory patterns over time,” explains Bond. “These patterns can lead to muscle tightness, weakness, and altered movement mechanics, which can contribute to pain and injury if left unchecked.“
Corrective exercise aims to interrupt these negative patterns and restore optimal function by focusing on three key areas: mobility, stability, and neuromuscular control. Mobility refers to the ability of your joints to move through a full range of motion without restriction or pain. Stability involves the ability of your muscles to support your joints and maintain proper alignment during movement. Neuromuscular control is the communication between your brain and your muscles, which allows for precise, coordinated movement.
“A skilled practitioner will assess your individual needs and develop a customized plan to address any limitations or imbalances,” says Bond. “This may include targeted stretches, activation drills, and strength exercises designed to improve your specific areas of weakness.“
One of the unique aspects of Bond’s approach to corrective exercise is her emphasis on fascia, the connective tissue network that surrounds and supports every muscle, bone, and organ in the body. “Fascia plays a crucial role in movement quality and pain perception,” she notes. “By addressing fascial restrictions and imbalances, we can often achieve more profound and lasting results than by focusing on muscle alone.”
Bond’s proprietary method, known as the Kinesiogram™, involves a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s movement patterns, fascial health, and overall function. Based on this assessment, she creates a personalized corrective exercise plan that may include techniques like myofascial release, neuromuscular re-education, and functional strength training.
“The goal of corrective exercise is not to ‘fix’ you, but rather to empower you with the tools and knowledge to optimize your own movement and function,” says Bond. “It’s a collaborative process that requires commitment and consistency, but the rewards are well worth the effort.“
By incorporating corrective exercise into your fitness routine, you can not only reduce your risk of injury and alleviate chronic pain but also improve your overall performance and quality of life. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete looking to take your game to the next level or a beginner just starting out on your fitness journey, corrective exercise can help you build a strong, resilient, and pain-free body.
So, if you’ve been struggling to achieve your fitness goals despite your best efforts, it may be time to explore the power of corrective exercise. By addressing the underlying imbalances and dysfunctions that may be holding you back, you can unlock your full potential and enjoy a lifetime of healthy, vibrant movement.
Ready to experience the transformative power of corrective exercise for yourself? Visit michelebond.com and sign up for the mailing list to stay informed about Michele Bond’s upcoming online training and community launching in early 2025. As a leading expert in Kinesiology and fascia, Bond can help you optimize your movement, alleviate pain, and achieve your fitness goals with her cutting-edge approach to corrective exercise.