Ahhhh its the age old question isn’t it…how stiff is too stiff? Don’t worry this is a SFW article however today’s topic is definitely one that brings up a few giggles in the clinic when I mention it. This concept was brought to my attention in my first year as a practitioner in 2009 by Anna-Louise Bouvier from Physiocise when she visited Northern NSW to teach us about habitual retraining. For some reason this idea of teaching people correct movement patterns to assist with their often chronic conditions stuck a cord with me. To be honest it was probably the simplicity as Forrest says it the best…
But more than this Anna-Lousie brought up “Stiffies”which as a 22 year old with a phallic driven brain also resonated with me. Most simply put individuals flexibility will vary depending on their genetic makeup. When thinking of this logic there are important notions to keep in mind. Firstly when thinking flexibility we aren’t just talking muscles – nerves, joints, cartilage all comes into play as our body isn’t a segmental machine. It is designed to work in synergy and what seem like seperate area’s are actually connected via collagenous tissue called fascia thus are linked from tip to tail. Secondly not all of us are inherently “flexible” and what may feel like a tight area may not necessarily be tight at all (This will be a concept I address at a later date).
A Little Column A, A Little Column B
Anna-Louise categories patients as “Stiffies”, “Floppies” and “Flippies” as to allow people to address where they may fit on the spectrum. It’s genius in the way that it individualises mobility protocols and streamlines the classes at Physiocise as to ensure the most successful program for each person. “Stiffies” are those of us that often have to work very hard to maintain the flexibility that we have. This is due to a reduced elastin nature of our collagenous tissue (Elastin = Think less elastic) which leads to reduced chain move ability globally. “Floppies” are our hyper mobile crew or the friends that used to pop their shoulders out as a party trick (my favourite is when a floppy comes into the clinic showing me this pronouncing “I’ve always freaked people out by doing this”). Floppies inherently have a more mobile collagenous makeup thus can move seemingly more freely than Stiffies. Now we may think this is a blessing however it can be a double edged sword as Floppies can feel tightness as well (Notice I said tightness not stiffness). Which leads us to “Flippies”, a hybrid of the two who generally are quite flexible however end up with some stiff bits (Insert laugh here).
Please Explain
So this is where the bread is buttered. Say you are a Flippy that has flexible muscles around the neck & shoulder however a stiff joint capsule. If you are stretching incorrectly you may actually be over stretching your nerves or overloading your joint. Your body will let you know that computer says no and try to protect you via natural symptomology. As a result you will stop stretching all together because of the noxious stimuli where it’s possible that a more targeted approach to your mobility issue would be appropriate. “So how do I know what to Stretch and How oh wise, handsome one” I can hear you all hollering from the rooftops. The key is to first know where you fit into this classification. Always been diagnosed as Hypermobile – then I’d say you would be a Floppy. Been fairly flexible but just end up with troublesome areas that stiffen up – get in the Flippy box. Stiffer than a brick or a stick – you my friend are a Stiffy.
Help From The Bench
I will always be grateful that my old boss at Yamba Physiotherapy was always looking outside the box and organised for Anna-Louise to come and visit that Thursday night. The Physiocise website can be found here.
BryceFinck.com 