30. Mechanical Fitness and Health
It seems like almost everyone you meet has some type of physi-
cal problem with a muscle or joint. Mechanical pain, discomfort and
disabilities affect many in the modern world. Back and neck prob-
lems, shoulder and wrist pain, chronic hip and knee dysfunction, and
other muscle and joint problems are part of the long list of popular
complaints.
As common as these conditions are, most are preventable and rel-
atively easy to remedy by improving fitness and health. For example,
through the implementation of proper food and nutrition, inflamma-
tion can be better controlled (helping to heal and repair physical
problems), and building the aerobic system improves muscle func-
tion and support of joints and bones. The result often is that many
mechanical problems will disappear because the body will correct
them. Some get better very quickly, while others may require more
time as the body needs to make significant changes in its chemistry
and physical structure. Of the remaining mechanical problems, most
can be remedied by conservative means, often with the help of the
appropriate health-care professional.
This chapter highlights some of the issues related to the common
problem of mechanical imbalance. The vast majority of these prob-
lems are not permanent. In fact, in addition to allowing the body to
correct many of these problems, some can be remedied at home with
some simple guidelines. From head and neck, to shoulder, elbow and
wrist problems, and down the spine to the hips, knees and feet, most
problems are associated with muscle imbalance. This comes from
overuse, trauma, or other imbalance caused by brain, spinal or local
injury. And, in most chronic situations, muscle imbalance also has a
chemical relationship — there is usually an inflammatory factor in the
joint, muscle or other area that’s part of the problem. Correcting this