Why Pain in One Part of the Body May Start Somewhere Else
You’ve got knee pain, so the problem must be in your knee… right? Not necessarily.
The human body is an incredibly interconnected system. Muscles, joints, and fascia (the connective tissue that wraps around everything) all work together. When one part isn’t moving well, other areas step in to compensate – and that’s where problems can start.
The Body Works as a Whole
Every movement you make involves more than one joint or muscle group. For example:
When you walk, your ankle, knee, hip, and spine all share the workload.
When you reach overhead, your shoulder, upper back, and rib cage must coordinate.
If one link in the chain is stiff, weak, or injured, other areas pick up the slack. Over time, this can overload tissues that aren’t designed for that extra work, leading to pain.
Examples of Pain Being Connected
1. Knee Pain Linked to Hip or Ankle Issues
If your hip muscles are weak or your ankle is stiff, your knee may twist or track differently. That can put extra strain on the joint, even if the knee itself is healthy.
2. Shoulder Pain Connected to the Upper Back
A stiff thoracic spine (mid-back) limits how far your arm can reach overhead. The shoulder compensates by moving more than it should, increasing injury risk.
3. Lower Back Pain Related to Tight Hamstrings
If your hamstrings are tight, they can tilt your pelvis backward, flattening your lower back and changing how it absorbs load.
Functional lines are chains of muscles and connective tissue that work together across the body to create movement, transfer force, and maintain stability. image from Muscle and Motion.com
Why Treating in Isolation Often Fails
If you only treat the painful area, you might get temporary relief – but the underlying cause remains. It’s like mopping up water without fixing the leak.
The pain often returns once treatment stops.
Other problems may develop as the original imbalance spreads.
This is why a whole-body approach works better: it addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms.
A Better Way to Resolve Pain
When I work with clients, I always look beyond the site of pain to see how your body is moving as a whole. Most clients will already have gone through rounds of endless physiotherapy with little to no change, so why would I want to treat them the way they’ve already been treated. I will look at:
Testing mobility and strength in related joints
Checking posture and movement patterns
Addressing muscle imbalances with targeted exercises and soft tissue releases
Restoring balance through stretching, strengthening, and functional movement
Why an Intergrated Approach Is Often Better
Your body isn’t a collection of separate parts – it’s one integrated system. Pain in one area often means something else isn’t doing its job properly. By looking at the bigger picture and treating the body as a whole, you’re far more likely to get lasting results and move with confidence again.
Seeking Support With Pain or Poor Movement?
Let’s have a chat. I offer a free Discovery Call to anyone who wants to explore how they can resolve the issue they are having with their body and movement.
Sabrina is a movement specialist based in Worcester Park, helping people overcome pain, move better, and enjoy active, fulfilling lives. With expertise in sports and remedial massage, personal training, and the Emmett Technique, she works with clients to relieve pain, improve mobility, and build strength. Treatments and training sessions take place in her private home treatment and training room. If you would like to discuss your needs, book a Discovery Call.