Factors Which Affect Flexibility

As people age, they can find themselves grappling to maintain their flexibility. However, even younger people are not immune to struggles with flexibility, particularly if they coincide with specific jobs and behaviors. Today, we're going to examine some of the reasons people lose their flexibility, range of motion, and mobility.

Work

People have to work, and many of the patients we see struggle with pain: neck and shoulder pain because of their desk job, or back pain because of their driving job or being on their feet all day. This pain causes stiffness, which can result in more pain and loss of flexibility. One can see how a vicious cycle can quickly develop.

Travel

Business travelers also suffer from flexibility-related pain, both as a result of driving and flying. Dehydration, poor diet, lack of opportunities for exercise, and long periods of sitting in meetings can all take their toll on the business traveler.

Many of these jobs come with a high degree of stress, as well, which settles into the back and neck in conjunction with the other physical challenges.

Computer usage

Whether computer usage is part of a job, or it's used for video gaming, social media or other activities, posture during screen time is often deplorable. Also, many people are intensely engaged by online activities, meaning they don't always notice their loss of flexibility until it becomes quite painful.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a severe condition which affects both internet users and those with a job which involves repetitive motions. Pain, numbness, cracking, loss of flexibility, and eventual nerve damage can affect a person with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hobbies

Whether the hobby is a sedentary craft such as knitting, or whether it's a highly demanding activity such as hiking or dirt-bike riding, many hobbies can result in sore muscles and body aches. Even watching television for an extended period can make a person stiff. Injuries can also occur in more active hobbies, which can then be exacerbated by the injured patient's job.

Solutions

While we've just described a dismally high number of opportunities for pain, loss of flexibility, and mobility issues to develop, there are solutions:

Breaks

Taking frequent breaks from the causes of aches and pains is an excellent way to keep suffering to a minimum during the activity. Whether it entails walking up the aisle of the plane or stepping away from one's desk for a few moments, every little easing gesture helps.

Stretching

Stretching at one's desk, before active hobbies, or during long trips helps realign one's body and ease stiffness. Yoga, tai chi, gymnastics, and other forms of exercise can help keep the body limber, as well.

Range of motion exercises

Range of motion exercises are similar to stretching, except that they have a pattern and may involve repetition. If your chiropractor or other health professional recommends exercises, we urge you to follow those instructions consistently and faithfully.

Chiropractic care

For relief of symptoms, a visit to the chiropractor for an adjustment or massage can help ease the pain and loss of flexibility and range of motion as the result of work or hobbies. It should be noted that your chiropractor may recommend some changes in certain positions, behaviors, or habits. While it may be difficult to enact these suggestions, the more quickly a patient can resolve the problem, the faster relief is likely to occur.