Get A Head Start On Joint Stiffness!
Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling stiff and sore? Slowly you start moving your neck and shoulders. Your body is aching and you wonder why your muscles are so tense. Other mornings, your back is killing you. You have to get out of bed immediately and start moving around to warm up your muscles. Then there are those days at work where you sit in front of the computer and all of a sudden your neck is acting up? You are hurting and nobody around you can see it but you can feel it.
Joint stiffness decreases the range of motion of the affected joints. The most common causes for joint stiffness I treat clients for in my clinic are overuse, injuries, and inactivity. The stiffness of a joint can be the result of muscle tension and stress. If you are riding your bike for hours and hours all summer long the tightening of your quads and hip flexors can affect the joints of your lower back, hips, and knees. If the cause for joint stiffness is an injury you may experience inflammation of the joint and muscle splinting to protect the affected joint. Perhaps you enjoy reading a book and sit curled up on the couch or use the computer for hours a day your neck and back become stiff from not moving.
Prevent joint stiffness by exercising and stretching regularly. Keep your stress level low and join a yoga class. Drink enough water before, during, and after exercising to avoid muscle spasms.
Pathologies and different conditions can cause joint stiffness as well. Consult your doctor for proper treatment. Massage therapy may or may not be the right treatment for you.
