Shoulder Stability

​You have heard a therapist use the expression proximal stability (at the shoulder) is needed for distal mobility (for fine motor skills). Weakness at the child’s shoulders may result in the inability to isolate the use of their hands needed for fine motor tasks. For example, when a child uses the small muscles of his hand to finger feed from the table and bring it to his mouth, he must have a stable chain of muscles running from his core muscle (trunk) to his shoulder to his elbow, to his wrist. If that chain of muscles, beginning at his core, isn’t stable and strong, it will be very difficult for him to get that tiny piece of cereal to its target. This can impact a child’s ability to write.
So when we focus on proximal strength and stability (stability in the muscles closest to the center of the body), we are helping to support free movement in the parts of the body further away from the center (distal body parts).

Core Strength

​Your core is the center of your body the most proximal (or nearest to your center).  Core strength is a key component in the developmental process.  This is why crawling, quadraped and tummy time are so important.  These types of activities strengthen the core and encourage weight bearing through all joints (knees, elbows, hips and shoulders) providing the opportunity for proprioceptive input, (awareness in space) to hopefully build strength.
From the core, you move from your middle outward (remember, proximal to distal).  Strong core, then strong hips and shoulders, then strong elbows and knees and, finally, strong hands and feet.