Why do we lose mobility?

Well, the answer is quite simple: If we don’t use it, we lose it.
Today, very few of us use the body to its full potential and move through the full range of movement our joints are capable of. We’re, therefore, slowly losing mobility from an early age without knowing it.

Add in the inevitable injury or illness as the years go by, and we can all too easily be left in a precarious position where we lack not only mobility but also the confidence to move, and with this, our fitness rapidly diminishes, leading to an increased risk of poor health.

The good news is that movement is, essentially, a skill we lose due to lack of use. And, with practice, regardless of age, we can regain at least some of our lost mobility, leading to an improved quality of life.

So, how can we regain mobility?

Adopt a Positive Mindset

We have an injury or period of inactivity, our chin drops, and we adopt a ‘rest is best’ approach. It is not! The research on how to manage injuries and return to active daily life has changed, yet, for many, our behaviours have not. I like to use the terms ‘Rest is Rust’ and ‘Motion is Lotion’ to help motivate clients to move more.

Maintain Fitness

Keeping moving, in any way possible, is one of the best things you can do to aid the healing process. Even when we are injured or in discomfort, there’s usually some exercise we can do that is pain-free or less uncomfortable. Staying below a 4/10 on a pain scale is a good guide. Explore all options to help you keep moving. The more you can do, the quicker you will regain your mobility.

Daily Mobility Practice

Explore all movements and find what you can do safely and pain-free. Write these down and practice daily. Slowly, you’ll be able to do more and more. After a week or two, return to those movements you couldn’t perform and see if you can perform them pain-free. Just avoid ‘poking the bear’ or, provoking pain. I like to think of giving your body ‘permission to move’ by slowly and steadily reintroducing movement. 

Manage Volume and Intensity

One of the biggest reasons people fail when trying to adopt any new habit is that they start by either doing too much (volume) or going too hard (intensity). Start Tiny! Identify a couple of simple movements that you CAN DO. Once consolidated, add further movements one at a time so you have confidence in them. Build a solid foundation.

My previous blogs ‘Managing your Injuries with Peace & Love’ and ‘Ten Commandments of Getting Started‘, will / may also be helpful!

Keep moving!