Understanding Motor Control and Motor Learning for Physical Therapy

Published by Dr. C.J. DeFabio, D.C. | June 13, 2019

Motor Control in Physical Therapy: Why It Matters More Than Strength or Flexibility Alone

Local, Evidence-Informed Physical Therapy in Andersonville, Chicago

At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center, located in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago, our care model is built around one core idea:

Pain is often not just a strength or flexibility problem, it may also be a control problem.

Motor control dysfunction is one of the three primary contributors to pain and movement limitations, alongside joint mobility and tissue extensibility.

This article explains:

• What motor control actually is
• Why it matters for recovery
• How it contributes to pain and re-injury
• How we address it in a structured physical therapy plan

What Is Motor Control?

Motor control refers to the nervous system’s ability to:

• Coordinate muscles
• Control joint movement
• Maintain stability during motion
• Execute efficient, purposeful movement patterns

It is not just about whether muscles can contract, but how, when, and in what sequence they activate.  Even strong, flexible individuals can have poor motor control that may lead to compensation, overload, and pain.

“Motor control is purposeful movement. You think about picking up your cellphone and then you do it: this is motor control. But there’s much more going on here than you may think about.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

To get a bit more technical, motor control is a three-step process that begins in the brain:

Step One: You make the conscious decision to move, which is called the planning stage.

Step Two: From here, electrical pulses fire to the appropriate areas involving cells, muscle tissue, and connective tissue. This is the programming stage or the brain giving instructions to the specific areas required for movement.

Step Three: Finally, your muscles contract and the movement happens. This is the execution stage.

The reason that most of us tend not to think about the actions that we’re doing is because our bodies have the goal of performing flawless movement with as little demand on your brain as possible. In other words, your body naturally wants movement to become automatic; it doesn’t want to have to overthink something as simple as placing a cup on a table or pushing open a door.

When we move, our bodies subconsciously take note of how well they’re moving and if something can be done better. If the movement is new, our bodies will use motor learning to master the new movement until it becomes as automatic as possible.

What is Motor Learning?

Think back to when you learned a new movement-based skill. For example, did you have to learn keyboard typing on a computer in school? If so, the first several months, maybe even the first year or two, were probably very slow and awkward. You probably had to constantly look down at your fingers to confirm if you were striking the correct keys.

Your teacher would run typing software that required you to type words or phrases correctly in order to advance. They may have had to remind you over and over again not to look down at the keys, but to stare at the screen. As the months passed, there’s a good chance that you became faster at typing. You probably made less errors, and only occasionally had to look down at the keyboard.

This process is a perfect example of motor learning, or the process of the body mastering a new movement-based skill. What starts out as painfully awkward and unfamiliar eventually becomes a new acquired skill, but how does this happen?

Learning a New Movement

When you attempt a new movement such as typing or dancing, your body is going through another three-step process:

Step One: You are focusing intently on the skill or movement you want to do. This could be reviewing the instructions in your mind or listening to a teacher explain the best way to execute the movement.

Step Two: You practice the skill or movement. Without losing focus, you attempt to do the skill or movement that you’ve been learning.

Step Three: While you are practicing, your body is assessing your performance and taking internal feedback. You don’t even realize that your body is doing this, but it shows in the gradual improvement of your performance over time. If you have an instructor, they are also taking feedback to help you with step one of the process.

Your first few attempts might be poor, but with constant instruction and practice, you’ll find yourself improving in any movement or skill. So how does this apply to rehabilitation or healing the body after an injury or surgery?

“Motor control is how your brain tells your body to move. You can be strong, but if your timing and coordination are off, your body still moves poorly and that’s when problems typically start.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

Why Motor Control Matters in Physical Therapy

When motor control is impaired, the body:

• Uses the wrong muscles at the wrong time
• Overloads certain joints or tissues
• Develops inefficient movement patterns
• Becomes more prone to injury or chronic pain

This is why some people:

• Keep re-injuring the same area
• Plateau in physical therapy
• Feel “tight” no matter how much they stretch

“If your movement pattern is off, your body keeps stressing the same areas over and over. That’s why just stretching or strengthening alone often doesn’t fix the problem.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

Common Signs of Motor Control Dysfunction

You may be dealing with motor control issues if you experience:

• Recurring injuries in the same area
• Poor balance or coordination
• Difficulty maintaining posture
• Pain during specific movements (but not others)
• Feeling unstable, weak, or “off” despite exercise

“A lot of my patients say, ‘I’ve been working out, but something still feels off.’ That’s usually a motor control issue, not a strength issue.” – Dr. Virginia Vivit, D.C.

How Motor Control Dysfunction Develops

Motor control can be disrupted by:

• Injury or pain (which alters movement patterns)
• Sedentary lifestyle or repetitive postures
• Poor movement habits over time
• Compensation from other dysfunctions (joint or soft tissue issues)

Once these patterns develop, the brain essentially “learns the wrong movement” and continues repeating it.

“Your body adapts to whatever you do most. If you move poorly long enough, or have pain you are guarding, that becomes your new normal even if it’s causing pain.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

Motor Control vs Strength and Flexibility

Traditional physical therapy often focuses on:

• Strengthening muscles
• Stretching tight tissues

While important, these alone may not fix the issue if:

• Muscles fire in the wrong sequence
• Stabilizers are not activating properly
• Movement timing is off

Motor control bridges the gap between capacity (strength/flexibility) and function (movement quality).

“Think of strength as horsepower. Motor control is how well you drive the car. You need both, but control is what keeps you safe and efficient.”  – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

How We Assess Motor Control at Ravenswood Chiropractic

At our Andersonville clinic, we perform a comprehensive movement evaluation that may include:

• Functional movement assessments
• Postural analysis
• Balance and coordination testing
• Joint and muscle interaction analysis

This allows us to identify:

• Compensation patterns
• Delayed muscle activation
• Poor stabilization strategies

“We’re not just looking for where it hurts, we’re looking at how you move. That’s how we find the real cause.”  – Dr. Virginia Vivit, D.C.

How We Treat Motor Control Dysfunction

Motor control is addressed through progressive, guided physical therapy, often combined with supportive in-office treatments when appropriate.

1. Corrective Movement Training

• Retraining proper movement patterns
• Teaching correct muscle sequencing
• Building coordination and stability

2. Progressive Stabilization Exercises

• Core and joint stabilization
• Controlled, functional movement drills
• Gradual progression to real-world activities

3. Neuromuscular Re-education

• Reinforcing correct movement patterns
• Rewiring brain-to-body communication

“We’re essentially teaching your body how to move correctly again, step by step – so it becomes automatic.”  – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

When Additional Therapies May Help

For patients with pain, inflammation, or chronic dysfunction, we may integrate:

Class IV Laser Therapy

• Supports cellular metabolism and circulation
• Helps reduce pain and inflammation
• May improve tissue readiness for movement training

Shockwave Therapy

• Helps address stubborn soft tissue restrictions
• May improve mobility in areas limiting proper movement

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

• Used in select cases involving disc-related issues
• Helps reduce pressure on affected structures
• Can improve tolerance for physical therapy exercises

These therapies do not replace motor control training but may enhance outcomes when used appropriately.

“If pain is limiting your ability to move well, we use tools like laser therapy or decompression to help calm things down so you can actually do the physical therapy correctly.” – Dr. Todd Renn, D.C.

Why Motor Control Is Critical for Long-Term Results

Without addressing motor control:

• Pain often returns
• Compensation patterns persist
• Performance remains limited

With proper motor control training:

• Movement becomes more efficient
• Stress on joints and tissues decreases
• Long-term outcomes improve

“Motor control is what makes your results stick. It’s the difference between temporary relief and long-term change.”  – Dr. Virginia Vivit, D.C.

How Does Motor Learning Help with Rehabilitation?

Understanding motor learning is essential if you are going through rehabilitation following an injury or surgery. A great chiropractor knows that movement can be restored, but the muscle and central nervous system may have to learn how to do it all over again. That’s why the key is gradual progression of a skill, practice, and repetition.

If the body has to relearn a movement, that means the three-step process of motor learning may have to be repeated many times. For example, a movement as simple as lifting your arm may have to go through the process of focus and instruction from your chiropractor followed by practice. Meanwhile, your body is taking feedback, creating connections, and re-learning the best ways to lift the arm.

Your chiropractor will increase or decrease the workload on the body depending on your progress. If you try to advance too quickly, the body won’t be able to learn the appropriate information. Move too slowly and it won’t be challenged enough.

If you visit a chiropractor or physical therapist, be sure to take their advice and practice at home. The fastest way to recovery is practice and repetition.

Motor Control Physical Therapy in Andersonville, Chicago

At Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center, we specialize in:

• Movement-based rehabilitation
• Personalized physical therapy programs
• Integrating advanced therapies with exercise

If you’re dealing with:

• Persistent pain
• Recurring injuries
• Movement limitations

A proper evaluation can determine whether motor control is a contributing factor and what to do about it.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is motor control in physical therapy?

Motor control refers to how the nervous system coordinates muscles and joints to produce efficient, stable movement. In physical therapy, improving motor control helps correct faulty movement patterns that may contribute to pain or injury.

Why is motor control important for pain relief?

Poor motor control can cause certain muscles or joints to be overloaded repeatedly. Improving coordination and movement patterns can reduce this stress and support more sustainable recovery.

Can you have good strength but poor motor control?

Yes. Many individuals have adequate strength but still experience pain or dysfunction due to poor coordination, timing, or muscle activation patterns.

How is motor control treated at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago?

We use a combination of:

• Movement assessments
• Guided physical therapy exercises
• Neuromuscular re-education
• Supportive therapies like Class IV laser or shockwave when appropriate

How long does it take to improve motor control?

This varies based on the condition and individual, but improvements often occur progressively with consistent, guided physical therapy.

Do I need imaging before starting motor control therapy?

Not always. Many cases can be evaluated clinically. If imaging is necessary, we will guide you appropriately.

Where can I find motor control physical therapy near Andersonville Chicago?

Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center provides movement-based rehabilitation and motor control therapy in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago.

Have Questions About Motor Control, Motor Learning, and Rehabilitation?

Have you been struggling with movement following an injury? Are you suffering from limited mobility because of overusing a muscle? Give us a call today at 773-878-7330 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help to restore movement and get you back on the road to a pain-free life.