Stiffness can include feeling stiff from exercise including knots in the muscles, arthritis, inflammation from chronic infection or autoimmune issues, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and even medication side effects.
We tend to be less flexible and stiffer as we age. Part of it is due to lifestyle changes as we get older. We tend to live more sedentary lifestyles than our younger selves had. The less you move the less you become able to move. Adding to that is that the fluid that lubricates our joints becomes thinner over time as well as does the cartilage. Ligaments tend to become shorter and lose flexibility.
Stiffness can be very hard on people as they rise first thing in the morning to start the day. Laying in bed for hours on end can have you waking up feeling like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz, looking for your oil can.
We have some suggestions that can help you move more like yourself again.
- Stretch and or foam roll before bed as well as when you wake up. It helps drive blood into your muscles and warm them up. It can also help unlock minor subluxations in the spine.
- Take a hot shower as soon as you get up. Stretch in the shower as best you can. The warmth seeps into your muscles and skin and allows more movement.
- Supplement with Vitamin D for overall musculoskeletal health. Get sunshine daily.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin do wonders for joint flexibility.
- Ginger, Turmeric, and Black Pepper (combined) are a very powerful anti-inflammatory taken daily.
- Get your estrogen levels checked if the stiffness is extreme. Estrogen in both men and women is important for skeletal health and joint movement.
- Stay away from or limit the amount if refined flours, white sugars, fried foods, processed foods, gluten, and trans fats. All trigger inflammation in the body and that translates to pain and stiffness.
- Ibuprofen can be helpful as needed for pain and inflammation but try not to use it excessively as it is hard on your kidneys as well as your stomach.
- Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) help fight inflammation, especially vascular.
- Walk daily!
- Keep your weight in check. Carrying extra weight is hard on the joints and a strain on the entire body.
- If you sit at work get up often and take breaks, bend, walk, reach, stretch. Move.
- Get enough sleep and make note of any positions you wake up very creaky from. Try to alter your sleep habits to accommodate your body.
At Kaster Chiropractic we hate seeing anyone struggle with pain. We would love the chance to do some body work on you and get you up and moving at full speed again. Visit www.kasterchiropractic.com to learn more about what we offer. Then give us a call at 239-332-2555 to schedule your appointment.