compensatory movement

com·pen·sa·to·ry move·ment

(kŏm-pen'să-tōr-ē mūv'mĕnt) Movement used habitually to achieve functional motor skills when a normal movement pattern has not been established or is unavailable (e.g., lateral trunk flexion and exaggerated weight shift to substitute for incomplete shoulder flexion while reaching above shoulder level or external rotation of the shoulder that extends the elbow if the triceps muscle is insufficient).