You probably have heard the phrase “you are only as strong as your weakest link.” This refers to the kinetic chain, which the National Academy of Sports Medicine defines as “the relationship or connection between your nerves, muscles, and bones” that work synergistically to produce movement.

Movement patterns that involve compensation due to another injury, muscle imbalances around a joint, scar tissue build up or adhesions from previous injuries, improper movement patterns, or genetics can all play a role in causing pain and weakness in certain areas. If this is the case, you may soon have pain in areas that seem unassociated with the original issue.

With some time I recently spent on an airplane, I had the pleasure of experiencing neck stiffness and back pain that comes from that awful sleep position you get in an upright chair. The first attempt I made to rid myself of pain was a hot shower to relax muscles, which wasn’t enough to cure it. The next step was a professional massage to stretch the affected area and workout all the knots. The neck issue was alleviated, but I soon realized the back soreness and the tightness I felt when taking a deep breath was coming for spinal misalignment. Sometimes foam rolling can be an effective tool to use at home, but often a chiropractic adjustment is the key for me. Everything was stemming from tightness in my hips, which I have been battling for some time, and have also felt it in my knees, shins, and feet, all a great example of the kinetic chain.

Keeping on top of those issues and understanding what therapy it takes to diminish the pain is the key to longer lasting healing. The sooner I get everything back into optimal working order, the longer it is between episodes that need attention.

Scar tissue from previous injuries results in muscles with weaker areas that are less elastic, and highly prone to re-injury. Once a muscle is damaged, it can become a source of a great deal of pain. Just ask anyone that has had a major shoulder or hamstring injury. Flexibility will never be quite the same.

One technique called “soft tissue release” breaks the pain cycle by quickly correcting the scar tissue, so it heals properly. One type of soft tissue treatment is ART or Active Release Technique which is typically administered by a physical therapist or chiropractor. This type of therapy allowed me to work through knee pain and continue my workouts along the way, with a few modifications. The success rate of this technique is typically over 90 percent. Rochester has one know provider of this technique, RAK Chiropractic.

Improper movement patterns can also lead to imbalances of strength, and flexibility, pain, injury, and overcompensation patterns. Poor movement patterns not only affect your golf swing, but if you hold the golf club the wrong way long enough, you will also develop poor mechanics and motor patterns that are difficult to break. This idea can be applied to any sport.

Do yourself a favor the next time something is hurting, or you realize that you have chronic pain that has been with you for over a month, find out why! Just by pinpointing other issues in your body, a professional will be better able to figure out what is causing the current issues and any underlying issues.

Shelly Greenfield is a certified fitness trainer and writes a weekly fitness column for the Post-Bulletin. If you have an idea for a fitness profile, contact her at shelly@shellygfitness.com