Range of motion is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days, but do you really know what it means? Let's dive into this popular topic and explain why range of motion matters for people of all ages.
Limited range of motion refers to a joint that has a reduction in its ability to move. The reduced motion may be a mechanical problem with the specific joint or it may be caused by injury or diseases such as arthritis. Pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis can limit the range of motion of a particular joint and impair function and the ability to perform usual daily activities.
Chiropractic care can help to improve joint function by focusing on range of motion exercises and specific joint adjustments. The goal of these exercises and adjustments are to gently increase range of motion while decreasing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
There are three types of range of motion exercises: passive range of motion- A chiropractor or equipment moves the joint through the range of motion with no effort from the patient. Active assistive range of motion - Patient uses the muscles surrounding the joint to perform the exercise but requires some help from the chiropractor or equipment (such as a strap). Active range of motion - Patient performs the exercise to move the joint without any assistance to the muscles surrounding the joint.
Are your joints and muscles causing painful discomfort that limit your ability to do the things you love? Do you find yourself waking up in the morning feeling no better, or even worse, than when you went to bed the night before? Is your mobility limited, leaving you with a chronic issue like stiffness or soreness? If so, adding focused stretching to your daily routine may be of great benefit to you and increase your range of motion.
As part of our complimentary recommendations, our doctors often recommend implementing a series of structurally rehabilitating stretches. It is important to note; these stretches are begun only after the area of concern is stabilized and ready for stretching. Even more important to realize is these rehabilitating stretches are limited in their effectiveness for decreasing stiffness if not coupled with structural-fortifying adjustments to correct shifts in the spine.
Your stiff and sore joints could be helped by incorporating a few minutes per day into your morning routine. Some stretches we recommend can even be done while brushing your teeth or taking a shower.
So, if you are wanting to improve your flexibility and decreasing stiffness, ask our staff for handouts. Also, we are unveiling a complete series of stretches and exercises on video to benefit our patients soon! Ask us how to view these structurally rehabilitating stretches during your next visit.
Book an appointment today or call us at (415) 343-7706