As many of us are looking forward to getting outside for our favorite fall activities, some of the stiffness that has crept in over the past few months can start to catch up with us.
Stiffness can creep in over time for a variety of different reasons.
The #1 cause of stiffness that I see on a regular basis stems from having a more sedentary lifestyle and not moving around as much. I have been talking with patients and clients every day about stiffness, now more than ever! With everything going on and the hot summer heat, people are staying within their homes and not going out and about as much. However, our bodies love to move!
If we don't move, over time, it can lead to aches, pains and stiffness. The sneaky thing is...it usually happens gradually and we don't pay much mind to it at first. It starts off with a mild stiffness in the morning that gets better as soon as you start to move around. Then, you start noticing some stiffness and aches as the day progresses if you sit for too long. Before you know it, you feel like you're 100 years old...it's worsened over time!
For those with arthritis, the stiffness can be even worse and really interfere with your life.
The good news is that stiffness can often be relieved with conservative treatments and management techniques.
Gentle movements and limiting the amount of sitting that you do can go a long way in reducing stiffness. Gradually starting a walking program or a gentle stretching routine can really help loosen things up!
Need some help getting started? Ask us about our stretch class and Pilates options!