Joint centration

Joint centration is the optimum positioning, alignment and corresponding control of the body's joints. This includes while maintaining static postures and performing dynamic movements. Centration allows for a greater ability to activate the surrounding musculature during postural control and movement, gain enhanced proprioceptive feedback from the joint, and limit excessive compression of the joint which can lead to injury.^[1] Whether a person's joints are centrated or decentrated is reflected in their posture and the movement patterns which they produce.^[2]

Joint decentration is when the joints are less than optimally positioned and aligned. This means that there is less postural control, movement is less efficient and injury is more likely. It does not mean that they are injured although wear and tear injuries become more likely in joints that are decentrated.^[3] A single decentrated joint has an effect on the centration on all the other joints of the body.^[4] A partially dislocated (subluxated) or fully dislocated joint will always be decentrated as a result.

The joints of the body can become centrated or decentrated based upon the strength, or weakness, of the surrounding musculature including both agonist and antagonist muscles.^[2]