Back in school for Physical Therapy, we were taught the 'normal' ranges for movement, strength and flexibility.  We were taught to test our patients and note if they were within normal limits.  One thing I've learned over the years is that, for people, normal is relative and personal.  People really have their own 'normal' to strive for and shouldn't be placed on an arbitrary scale with others.  

I have found that balance and symmetry matter more than 'normal' when working with people.  In other words, making sure that a person has fairly equal flexibility, mobility and strength on both sides of their body will allow them to have 'normal' movement and mechanics which will lessen the stress and strain on their body and limit the chance for injury.

I was revisiting some work I had done with a patient long ago who came in with tennis elbow.  The elbow exam was unremarkable with full strength and decent flexibility.  Fortunately, when this patient walked in, I noticed a significant restriction in the right hip that caused a noticeable limp.  After two treatments that focused entirely on the hip (regaining mobility, flexibility and strength) they were able to perform an open stance forehand with normal mechanics and the elbow pain went away.

Rather than restoring our strength, flexibility and mobility to normal, we need to first restore a balance from right to left and insure, through using the right exercises, that we retrain the body to properly move.  Early on in my career, I worked hard with my patients to get their strength back to normal so they could get back their chosen sport.  If I knew then what I know now, I would have spent more time retraining their movements and a little less time cranking out a few more reps!

Now, I look at mechanics and correct any problems I find before worrying too much about being out of the 'normal' range.  I have better success now that I have a new 'normal.'  I wrote a short article a while back that I have posted here and it addresses this concept in a slightly different way.

I'd love to hear any feedback or experiences you all have had.  I know when I told my patient I was going to treat their hip to fix their tennis elbow they probably thought about leaving the clinic!