You need to move. I know you know that. And if you’re reading this, you likely know that you need to move better too.
In addition to the improvements people gain in their mobility with chiropractic spinal adjustments, it’s enhanced even more when people in my practice do a few other things on their own.
There’s a difference between flexibility and mobility, and you need both!
All your joints are made up of muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and connective tissue. The strength of your muscles depends on how well they move through their proper range of motion. That’s where flexibility and mobility come in.
What Are Flexibility And Mobility?
Here’s a simple explanation:
FLEXIBILITY = the ability of the soft tissues to stretch (cartilage, fascia, tendons) which affects how far a muscle can stretch and move
MOBILITY = the ability of a joint to actively move through full range of movement (a joint is where 2 bones meet and coordinate a movement)
Good mobility requires the flexibility of muscles AND the ability for joints to properly move through their natural range. Strength, stability, balance, and coordination also help!
Someone can be flexible but lack mobility, but you can’t have good mobility without good flexibility.
Make sense?
Lack of flexibility will impact joint movement, increase the risk of injury, and impact performance.
How To Improve Mobility And Flexibility
Start adding stretches into your routine to improve your flexibility (yoga or a foam roller work well!). Then practice movements that take your joints through their healthy range of motion. Doing these two things will prevent injury, and you’ll notice the gains in simple ways as you move through your day.
Whether you add some stretches or mobility exercises to your existing workouts, find a few moments throughout your day, or when you rise in the morning or before you head to sleep for the night, my suggestion is to just start.
You might not see the difference, but you’ll feel it!
Need some ideas of what to do? Ask me on your next visit for a few suggestions or be sure to attend on of the upcoming movement and mobility sessions.
