Position Determines Outcome: Changing Your Body Position to Unlock New Movement Results
- sheldonsonnenberg
- May 6
- 3 min read
Position Determines Outcome: Changing Your Body Position to Unlock New Movement Results
As a physical therapist, one of the most powerful lessons I teach my clients is this: you can’t change the result if you don’t change the position. Our bodies are designed with joints that move within specific ranges and planes—yet by altering how we position ourselves, we unlock new pathways for movement, strength, and functional performance. Whether you’re aiming to overcome a nagging shoulder impingement, improve squat depth, or simply move with greater ease in daily life, understanding and leveraging positional changes is key.
Understanding the Constraints of Joint Anatomy
Every joint in your body—from your ankles to your cervical spine—has a built-in “envelope” of motion. This envelope is dictated by factors like
Bony architecture: The way bones articulate limits how far they can glide or roll.
Ligament tension: Ligaments provide stability but also restrict excessive movement.
Muscle length-tension relationships: Muscles can only generate optimal force within certain length ranges.
When you attempt a movement in a suboptimal joint position, you’re immediately constrained by these anatomy-driven boundaries. For example, trying to externally rotate your shoulder with a forward-rolled posture may pinch tendons under the acromion, leading to discomfort or impingement.
Positional Tweaks to Expand Movement Options
Small shifts in how we orient our joints or align our spine can dramatically alter which muscles engage and how forces are distributed. Here are three practical examples:
Scapular Position for Overhead Reach
Problem: Many people experience shoulder discomfort when lifting their arm overhead.
Solution: Retracting and slightly depressing the scapula (shoulder blade) before reaching up creates more space under the acromion, reducing impingement risk and allowing the deltoid and rotator cuff to work efficiently.
Hip Position to Improve Squat Depth
Problem: Limited hip flexion often caps how low you can squat.
Solution: Externally rotating your toes (turning feet slightly outward) changes the orientation of the hip joint, unlocking additional depth by engaging the hip rotators and stretching the hip capsule more effectively.
Spinal Alignment for Better Rotation
Problem: Hunched posture restricts thoracic rotation, making activities like swinging a golf club or reaching behind you uncomfortable.
Solution: Establishing an upright thoracic position—by lifting through the chest and drawing shoulder blades together—places the spine in a more neutral curve, which translates into smoother, pain-free rotation.
Incorporating Positional Strategies into Your Routine
Assessment First: Before prescribing exercises, assess joint positions in static and dynamic postures. Note where discomfort or restrictions occur.
Cues and Coaching: Use tactile or verbal cues—“lift your chest,” “pinch your shoulder blades,” or “flare your toes slightly”—to guide clients into positions that optimize joint space and muscle activation.
Progressive Variation: Once the optimal position is identified, incorporate it into functional movements. For instance, practice overhead reaches while maintaining scapular positioning, then translate that into a push-press or pull-up progression.
Self-Monitoring: Teach clients to scan their own posture and position before and during activity, reinforcing the connection between how they set up and how they move.
Why Positioning Matters for Long-Term Success
When we lock into a poor position, we repeatedly stress the same tissues in the same patterns, which can lead to overuse injuries and compensatory movement strategies. Conversely, by consciously altering our position, we:
Distribute forces more evenly across joints and muscles
Engage underutilized muscle groups, building balanced strength
Reduce pain and irritation by creating optimal joint congruency
Enhance motor learning through varied movement experiences, leading to greater adaptability
Takeaway: Change Your Position, Change Your Results
Position isn’t just about looking good on a yoga mat or nailing the perfect squat form—it’s about giving your body the best possible mechanical advantage for any movement. As physical therapists, our role is to help you discover the ideal positions that open up your body’s full potential and translate those findings into your everyday life and athletic pursuits.
Next time you feel “stuck” or experience pain during a movement, ask yourself: Is my position setting me up for success—or for failure? A small adjustment could be all it takes to change your outcome for the better.
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