Unlock Pain Relief: How Troubleshooting Opposing Joints Can Transform Client Outcomes

Sometimes, the pain a client experiences in one joint is directly related to it’s opposing joint.

Pain in one joint often has a surprising culprit:

It’s opposite “BFF” joint. This might seem counterintuitive, but understanding how the body’s interconnected systems work can be a game-changer for movement professionals. Opposing joints—like the right ankle and left wrist, or the left shoulder and right hip—play a vital role in movement mechanics, coordination, and overall stability. When one joint becomes restricted, misaligned, or overburdened, its partner often compensates, leading to discomfort, reduced function, or even chronic pain.

Let’s break it down.

Think of opposing joints as the body’s built-in cross-patterned teammates. The brain naturally connects the right lower body with the left upper body and vice versa. For example:

• Right toes = Left fingers

• Right ankle = Left wrist

• Right knee = Left elbow

• Right hip = Left shoulder

Take a step and watch how your right leg moves forward while your left arm swings forward. Cool, right? This equal-and-opposite pattern is key to how your body creates smooth, coordinated movement. But when something disrupts this balance—like an old injury or compensation—it can ripple through the system.

How to Troubleshoot Opposing Joints

When a client comes in with persistent joint pain, don’t just focus on the local area. Instead, think about it’s opposite partner:

1. Observe Patterns
   Take note of how your client moves. Do they favor one side? Is there a noticeable imbalance in their gait or posture? What would a child say if they were observing this gait with you?

2. Assess the Opposite Joint
   For instance, if your client has left shoulder pain, assess the right hip for restrictions, weakness, or past injuries. Compare mobility, stability, and sensory input between the two areas.

3. Address Both Joints
   Use simple interventions to balance the system:

   • Sensory stimulation: Brush, tap, or lightly touch the skin to improve brain-body communication.

   • Controlled mobility drills: Incorporate slow, focused movement patterns to retrain coordination.

   • Breathwork: Use breathing exercises to calm the nervous system and improve stability across the movement chain.

   • Your favorite modalities/techniques: Use the stuff you are already good at, certified in and love to use like dry needling, massage, motor points, acupuncture, adjustments, whatever floats your boat, consider doing your favorite approach on the opposite joint!

Why This Works

Sometimes, local pain doesn’t resolve because the root cause is hiding in the larger movement chain. Opposing joints are often where those hidden restrictions and compensations live. By troubleshooting and addressing both sides of the equation, you’re not just reducing pain in the short term—you’re creating a sustainable foundation for long-term movement success. And if working both ends doesn’t work, try right in the middle!

See the Body as a System

Understanding the concept of opposing joints helps you view the body as an integrated system where everything matters. Whether it’s a past injury, an old scar, or a funky compensation pattern, each piece plays a role in how your clients move and feel. By leveraging this knowledge, you can provide a holistic, impactful solution that transforms their pain and performance.

Watch this video to see it in action!

I hope you enjoyed this blog, see ya in the a month. If you want the freebie with instructions and quick videos on opposing joints, click here!

See you in a month,

Missy B