As people age, we tend to lose our natural flexibility over time. And while losing natural flexibility as we get older isn’t something we generally think of until it starts to happen, there are other contributing factors that can also have an impact on our flexibility.
If improving flexibility is something you’re looking to achieve, you’re in the right place. Below are some easy tips to get you on the path to greater flexibility and mobility for improved comfort and overall quality of life.
What Is Flexibility?
Flexibility refers to a person’s ability to move a joint (or group of joints) through a complete range of motion. For example, without adequate flexibility, undertaking daily tasks such as picking something up or getting out of bed can become somewhat difficult.
What Factors Contribute To A Lack Of Flexibility
Various factors that can contribute to a lack of flexibility include:
- Age – ageing can have an impact on flexibility. As we get older our bodies get a little stiff and at times we develop pain, which can restrict our movements.
- Level of physical activity – living a sedentary lifestyle involving minimal physical activity can contribute to a lack of flexibility.
- Our job – the type of profession we are in can affect our level of flexibility. A role that involves little movement on a day-to-day basis such as an office job (where we are seated for most of the day) may contribute to reduced flexibility due to our reduced range of motion throughout the day.
- Obesity – carrying additional body weight can greatly limit movement which in turn can lead to a decrease in flexibility.
Why Work On Improving Your Flexibility?
From reducing pain to improving your overall quality of life, there’s lots of great reasons to work towards improving your flexibility. By improving the range of motion of your joints and muscles, you can also reap the following benefits of increasing your flexibility including:
- Less pain – lengthening and loosening your muscles means you’ll experience less aches and pains.
- Fewer injuries – developing strength and flexibility in your body will mean a greater capacity to withstand physical stress and reduced muscle imbalances, meaning less injuries.
- Improved physical performance – flexible joints and muscles means having to use less energy while in motion, which can improve your physical performance.
- Improved posture and balance – increasing muscular flexibility through stretching and exercise can help with maintaining proper alignment and correct any imbalances.
Ways To Improve Flexibility
Various methods to improve flexibility include:
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet – losing excess weight or maintaining a healthy weight range through proper nutrition and diet can improve body mobility and flexibility.
- Keeping active – Exercising regularly along with a regular stretching routine can help maintain a healthy body as well as flexibility. Choose between more active activities such as team sports, running or even weight lifting. Alternatively, lighter exercises such as walking, swimming or yoga can also be beneficial.
- Regular chiropractic care – chiropractic is a holistic, natural hands-on therapy. Receiving regular adjustments from your local Chiropractor to correct any misalignments in your spine may help reduce bodily aches and pains while increasing flexibility and restoring your body’s range of motion.
- Regular stretching routine – regular stretching keeps muscles loose and your joints flexible. Try to incorporate stretching into your daily routine from the moment you wake up and throughout the day before finally finishing up with a wind-down stretch before you go to sleep.
- Taking a warm bath – Relaxing your muscles with a warm bath or shower before you do some stretching can maximise your stretches because you are starting your stretch with warm, relaxed muscles.
- Stay hydrated – dehydration causes muscles to stiffen and tighten up – meaning a decrease in elasticity. Staying hydrated with fluids can help with maintaining flexibility as you stretch out tight muscles.
Improving Flexibility With Chiropractic
Regular Chiropractic adjustments from a chiropractor may help with improving flexibility and mobility. Speak to the team at First Choice Chiropractic to find out more about our Chiropractic services and schedule a chiropractic appointment today.
