When it comes to chronic pain, the body often develops muscular asymmetries from making compensations to avoid the pain. These are significant presentations, since corrections can lead to pain relief, even if you have a pinched nerve or bone-on-bone arthritis. Even if you are aware of these asymmetries, it’s common to downplay them.  

For instance, if one shoulder is lower than the other, you might think it’s just because you carry a heavier load on that side. Or if you prefer to favor one leg over the other, you might think it’s just because the other side is painful to stand on. When sitting, you might find place more pressure on one glute or lean your ribs against one side of the chair, telling yourself that it’s just a harmless habit. While these might seem like valid or innocuous excuses, they are no reason to shrug off even the smallest asymmetries.  

Such habits lead to one side of your body functioning differently than the other when you’re sleeping, sitting, standing or walking. Muscular tightness in specific parts of the body causes these directional preferences which, in turn, worsen the tightness and a positive feedback loop that intensifies chronic pain over time.  

If you notice these muscular asymmetries, focus on gentle flexibility exercises, rather than intensive strength or resistance training. A tight muscle is inefficient and weak, but when you stretch the muscle, it becomes stronger and more efficient. Once you restore the correct symmetry, strength exercises can then help with pain relief. But if you skip the flexibility training, the asymmetry will linger which makes it harder to improve chronic pain.   

Joann Pung, PT, is a chronic pain specialist at Manual Physical Therapy & Concierge Services. For a free assessment, call 941-226-2605 or visit https://www.manualconciergept.com/ Location: 5207 26th St. W, Suite 102, Bradenton.