Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) occurs when nerves or blood vessels are compressed between the collarbone and the first rib. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms and shoulders. Poor posture, repetitive movements, or even structural abnormalities like an extra cervical rib can cause TOS. Thoracic outlet decompression through surgery is one way to relieve these symptoms. The good news is that surgery is not always necessary, and that there are other avenues to explore.

The real problem with TOS lies in how your body moves and holds itself. Most TOS cases are because of poor posture and dysfunctional movement patterns, not just isolated muscle or nerve issues. People with TOS often have a compressed nerve in the shoulder blade because their shoulder joint and spine aren’t functioning properly.

Scapular winging (also known as scapula alata) occurs when the shoulder blades stick out. Scap winging is abnormal as the scapulars should lay flat against the rib cage.

The typical go-to for most people with this condition is to search for scapular winging exercises. Unfortunately, many of these exercises fail to address the root causes of the problem. Let's dive into why typical winged scapula exercises tend to fall short. We will also address what you should focus on for real, long-term results.

Knee hyperextension is often addressed with quick fixes like braces or orthotics. A knee brace for hyperextended knee may offer temporary relief or support. However, it fails to address the underlying causes of the problem.

A brace for hyperextended knee is a passive solution that doesn't solve the root issues. This leads to recurring discomfort and dysfunction. Let's look at why a hyperextension knee brace is only a band-aid solution and what the real fix should be.

Modern exercise trends often focus on isolating muscle groups. However, the best gluteus maximus exercises involve the body moving as a cohesive unit. This matters especially in actions like walking, sprinting, or climbing. This is where Functional Patterns shines—emphasising integration rather than isolation to develop functional, strong, and efficient bodies.

We run a movement-based chronic pain clinic and these are the top 3 reasons we see.

Lack of hip rotation while walking

Muscle imbalances between the front line and back line

Poor intra-abdominal pressure from bloating and dysfunctional movement patterns

We want you to understand how each of these may relate to you and what you should do next. If you are eager to know how to relieve back pain from standing too long, keep reading.

To managing lower back pain, many people instinctively turn to exercise as a solution. However, while physical activity can help in many cases, certain weight-lifting exercises may actually exacerbate the problem. If you suffer from lower back pain, it's essential to avoid exercises that place undue pressure on the spine. These exercises reinforce poor posture and make the problem worse.

In today’s world, we hear a lot of advice about improving posture. Most of the advice involves pulling your shoulders back, doing static stretches, or focusing on isolated exercises. But here's the truth: those cookie-cutter posture exercises aren’t designed to help your body function properly in the long run. If you’ve tried those tips, you probably noticed your posture didn’t improve or the relief was only temporary. To truly fix your posture, you need a more comprehensive and functional approach. That’s where gait-based functional training comes in.

If you're looking to increase the tension and integrity behind your knees, there are a few focus points. Why are your knees hyper-extending in the first place? This is a crucial question to answer before putting together an exercise routine. The best way to identify the true cause of the hyperextension is to have your gait or movement analysed.

Functional Patterns offers a different perspective on scoliosis treatment. Most practices solely focus on the spine's curvature or isolated muscle groups. It emphasises the importance of correcting faulty movement patterns that contribute to scoliosis. This method involves a holistic view of the body, looking at how the entire system moves and functions together.

Many people think adjusting their sitting or lying positions is the solution, but it’s not just about the position—it's about how your body moves overall. Faulty movement patterns are often the main culprits, leading to chronic pain that seems impossible to shake.

Do you have a lump or hump at the top of your back or base of your neck? This can be caused by a number of reasons but it can almost always be resolved through correcting movement patterns. Learn how moving better can straighten the top of your spine in this article!

Pain underneath the shoulder blades can be frustrating and debilitating. Unfortunately, there aren’t many longterm soltions for it. Fortunately, Functional Patterns has solved this problem for thousands of people. Learn how in this blog!

Unlike most practitioners, we look at subscapularis muscle pain and subscapularis tendon tear as symptoms in a bigger picture. We cannot correctly manage shoulder issues without addressing the entire body as a system.

Conditions such as tendinosis of the subscapularis are heavily related to the spine. The best physical examination for spinal health is a gait assessment.

A gait assessment is an examination of your running, walking and standing. This allows us to identify internal rotation and external rotation of the upper arm bone. We can see spinal rotation and forward/lateral flexion.

The mid back is a common place for people to experience pain. This is partially because the movements of the spine greatly affect this region. Physical therapists commonly prescribe stretches for mid to upper back.

The issue is, stretching is not a viable long term solution. Most people do not move their spine correctly. We often see people who are too flexible or flaccid, and others who are too immobile and rigid.

When you add stretching to this mix, you create more of the original problem. Instability and imbalances in the spines structure and movement patterns.

Let's address and review the top 3 most commonly suggested stretches for upper back pain. Then, we will discuss effective alternatives to these upper back strain stretches.

Today we are debunking myths associated with the functional training method: Functional Patterns (FP). This is a comprehensive Functional Patterns review that should leave you feeling empowered and educated. Is FP Just for women? Will you lose fat? Will you gain muscle with Functional Patterns? Is it safe? Find out.

Do you stretch your neck for pain relief? Wondering why that neck pain always comes back? A Brisbane neck specialists explains why neck stretches can be harmful and what to do instead for relief.

Do you experience hip flexor soreness after running? Most practitioners will tell you to stretch more. Not us! We find stretching causes more instability which is the root cause of the pain. Find out our top 3 tips to stopping hip flexor tightness and pain for good.

Creating more integration, removing any stretching and increasing symmetry in your gait should address hypermobility. While it is not an easy and quick fix, it will provide lasting relief. Hypermobility is a nervous system and gait disorder. Your tissue is not just hypermobile, your nervous system is not telling your fascial system where to stop. Hypermobility can you feel very disconnected to your body and uncoordinated. When we support the nervous and fascial systems of the body, hypermobility improves. We support the nervous system and the fascia by teaching the body to move correctly. This correct movement improves mechanotransduction (also knows as the bodies ability to sense mechanical stimuli). When your body can sense your body and environment better, it knows where to stop a range of motion.