I wanted to answer a common question I get asked about being stiff which we get asked regularly by clients at Hands-on Therapy Services.
“Hoang, do you have any advice for someone like me who isn’t in a lot of pain? I’m just incredibly stiff when I wake up on a morning, and I feel it through the day. Though once I “warm up” it’s better. But I’m noticing I’m feeling stiffer and stiffer. Any advice?”
I’ve got plenty of tips and advice to help reduce stiffness. But first I want to clear up ‘why’ we feel stiff in the first place.
Why are you feeling stiff?
A lot of people we see think that muscle stiffness is something we feel as we get older – and while there’s some truth in that, stiffness isn’t always directly related to how old you are.
Yes, as you get older your joints and muscles might get stiff if you don’t exercise regularly. And it’s true that your joints become less flexible as the lubricating fluid inside them decreases, and the cartilage becomes thinner as you age… But there’s some other points to factor in too.
- Not drinking enough fluids and dehydration can also lead to stiff muscles. Muscles are active tissues, which means they’re the kind of tissue that requires the most water in the body.
- Inactivity is another culprit – leaving your muscles in one place for a prolonged period (sleep, sitting in a chair, driving for hours etc.) can cause them to stiffen.
- Another cause can be related to stress – when we’re in a state of stress, our bodies tighten up as preparation for a “fight or flight” situation. Prolonged stress can lead to you maintaining a tight posture, resulting in strain on the muscles.
What can you do to reduce the side-effects of stiffness?
Here are 5 quick and easy tips to add to your daily routine that will help you find a life with less stiffness no matter what age you are.
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Stretch daily
Ten minutes on a morning when you first wake up, and ten minutes on a night before bed. Doing gentle stretches just before bed can help you get a much better nights sleep as well. No equipment needed, just you and the comfort of your own home (and some good music if you like).
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Walk daily
Walk for at least ten minutes a day (even better, twenty if you can). Next time you need to make a long phone call, why not do it on your mobile and walk at the same time?
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Avoid long periods of sitting
You’re better off laying stretched out on the sofa than you are sitting in a chair for long periods of time. We’re NOT designed to sit, and stretching out can be a nice relief for muscles and joints, especially if you’ve had a long day at work sat in a chair.
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Take a warm bath with epsom salt or baking soda
The heat and combination of epsom salt or baking soda will ease your muscles almost immediately and will calm your mind. The perfect way to end your day and unwind before getting a good nights sleep.
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Drink plenty of water
70 percent of your muscles are water. So it makes sense that you need to drink plenty of water to support your body and keep it hydrated.
My tip – have a glass of water by your bed ready for when you wake up on a morning, that way the first thing you do is drink a glass as soon as you wake to kick-start your day.
It’s sad but a lot of people accept stiffness in their life as though it’s normal and nothing can be done about it. Stiffness in your joints such as your neck, shoulders, back and knees is a sign that something needs to be done by you.
So there you have it, 5 things you can very easily put into action in your day as soon as today, to reduce stiffness and prevent it from making daily activities difficult to do.
Don’t accept stiffness as part of life, if you do and you don’t do anything about it, it’s likely to worsen and affect your ability to move freely.
Written by Hoang Tran
About the author – Hoang Tran
Hoang Tran is a certified hand therapist in Miami, the owner of Hands-on Therapy Services and author of the book “The Hands-On Approach”. She loves helping people with hand, neck and shoulder problems, because she knows how bad and debilitating they can get if not addressed and treated properly (once and for all!).
The aim of her occupational therapy practice in the Miami area is to bring patients back to full functionality, without pills, injections or surgery. If you would like more information about the services give us a call at 786-615-9879 or visit handsots.com.
If you are struggling with hand, elbow, or neck and shoulder pain schedule an appointment, OR request a Free Discovery Visit!
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The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
