title: A regional interdependence model of musculoskeletal dysfunction: research, mechanisms, and clinical implications.
abstract: The term 'regional interdependence' or RI has recently been introduced into the vernacular of physical therapy and rehabilitation literature as a clinical model of musculoskeletal assessment and intervention. The underlying premise of this model is that seemingly unrelated impairments in remote anatomical regions of the body may contribute to and be associated with a patient's primary report of symptoms. The clinical implication of this premise is that interventions directed at one region of the body will often have effects at remote and seeming unrelated areas. The formalized concept of RI is relatively new and was originally derived in an inductive manner from a variety of earlier publications and clinical observations. However, recent literature has provided additional support to the concept. The primary purpose of this article will be to further refine the operational definition for the concept of RI, examine supporting literature, discuss possible clinically relevant mechanisms, and conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings on clinical practice and research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Mount St Mary's College, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Derrick G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Sueki
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Franklin Pierce University, Concord, NH, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wainner
keywords: Physical therapy; Regional interdependence; Rehabilitation