In this episode, Erica dives into a fascinating case of a patient experiencing neck pain and how that seemingly isolated symptom actually traced back to an old foot injury. This case exemplifies the deep, interconnected nature of the human body. For those you have been listening for a while, this should not surprise you.

She unpacks the biomechanical and neural links between the foot and cervical spine, exploring how altered load distribution and compensatory patterns can persist long after the original injury appears to have healed.

A key focus of the discussion is the role of the center of mass—how shifts in its control can influence motor strategy and postural control, ultimately impacting regions far from the original site of injury.

Erica also covers exercise options, including progressions that integrate both the foot and cervical spine.  How to adapt your treatment when load transfer is compromised is a key factor in this patient’s outcome.

This episode is a reminder that in rehab, it’s rarely just about the joint that hurts—it’s about the whole system that moves around it.

 

Related links:

• Tough To Treat Website

• Erica’s Website

• Susan’s Website