Have you ever experienced the surprise of realizing your muscles were sore only when they were being massaged by a friend or health care professional? If so, you’re not alone. It’s a common phenomenon, and it raises questions about what’s happening in our bodies and how we can maintain optimal muscle health throughout our lifetimes.
Healthy muscles are strong, flexible and pain-free. So, why do we sometimes discover muscle soreness only when they are palpated or massaged? The answer often lies in underlying tension within the muscle. This tension can persist for a long time. Gradually we become desensitized to its presence. We stop noticing it in order to allow us to continue with our daily routines without discomfort. Factors contributing to underlying muscle tension can include repetitive stress, often from prolonged periods in the same position, stiff joints and old injuries. Most often these contributing factors coexist in the same individual.
At Inner Gate Health and Wellness, the chiropractors prioritize addressing muscle tension as well as joint mobility during appointments. Each chiropractic visit includes a minimum of 10 minutes of focused work to address muscle tension. This, along with adjusting and mobilizing your joints, is a crucial step in promoting muscle health. When joints don’t move correctly, surrounding muscles tighten to protect them. Restoring proper alignment and motion to the joints allows the corresponding muscles to relax, decreasing pain and tension.
The key to maintaining strong, flexible and pain-free muscles is movement. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to stiffness and reduced mobility as you age. Fortunately, there are simple ways to incorporate movement into your daily routine.
Incorporating joint movement into your daily life doesn’t require any special equipment or a significant time commitment. Start by making a conscious effort to move all your joints through their full range of motion daily. For your spine, this means looking up and down, bending each ear towards its respective shoulder, and turning your head in both directions. Continue by bending forward toward your toes and gently leaning backward, tilting from side to side at your waist and rotating your shoulders to the right and left.
If these movements come easily to you and you find them appealing, extend this practice to the rest of your body, including full range of motion of your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. You can perform these exercises in the comfort of your home, at the office or even during short breaks throughout the day. Consistency is key, so aim to make these movements a daily habit.
Regular movement not only helps alleviate underlying muscle tension but also contributes to overall well-being. It prevents your joints and muscles from becoming stiff and immobile, enhancing quality of life as you age and ensuring that your muscles remain strong, flexible and pain-free.
While movement is fundamental, it’s also essential to listen to your body. If you experience persistent or worsening muscle soreness or joint stiffness, consider consulting a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized guidance and address any underlying issues contributing to your discomfort.
Dr. Kelley Silon is a Chiropractic Physician with Inner Gate Health and Wellness, innergatepdx.com.
Editor’s note: Wellness Word is an informational column which is not meant to replace a healthcare professional’s diagnosis, treatment or medication.