Movement Strategies: When Old Habits Hold Us Back

After a stroke, your brain becomes a master of adaptation. It will always find a way to get you moving again — even if that way isn’t smooth, efficient, or balanced.

And that’s something to celebrate.That instinct to adapt means your brain is working hard to help you recover.

But here’s the catch: Just because a strategy got you this far, doesn’t mean it will take you where you want to go next.

There’s no “wrong” way - but there may be a better way

In stroke recovery, movement strategies are often creative workarounds.You might lift your arm by hiking your shoulder.Or always push off from your stronger leg when standing up.

These habits help you move — and they deserve credit.They’ve helped you walk, stand, reach, and participate in life.

But when you're ready for what’s next, those same strategies can become the thing that’s holding you back.

Unlearning to relearn

To build more efficient, balanced movement patterns, you may need to unlearn the old ones first.

• To find your elbow, you may need to first quiet the shoulder.

• To rise more evenly from a chair, you may need to ask less of your dominant side and start inviting your quieter side to help.
  

This can feel frustrating at first. You might feel like you're going backwards.

But you're not.

You're giving your brain the chance to build something better - something more stable, coordinated, and sustainable.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about potential.

The goal isn’t to move perfectly,  it’s to move in a way that supports your goals and your life.

That could mean:

• Reducing effort so you're less tired

• Improving balance to feel safer

• Moving more freely so you can walk with confidence or play with your grandchildren
  

And often, those goals require letting go of what’s familiar to make room for what’s possible.

Your brain is always learning - give it something new to learn

Movement is a conversation between your brain and your body.And every time you practice something slightly different - a pause, a shift in weight, a new sequence - you’re teaching your brain a new pathway.

With the right support, repetition, and encouragement, your brain can choose a better strategy.

Gratitude for how far you've come.

Curiosity for where you can go next.

And courage to try something new.