Sitting a lot? Stretch the smart way
After a long day at work, a drive of several hours or a lot of bending, many people feel they have "seized up". It is not the joint itself that is stiff, but the soft tissues around it: muscles, tendons and the joint capsule.
Three rules before you stretch
- Hold it, do not bounce. Go to the point where you feel a pleasant pull and stay there for a few seconds. The body guards against bouncing, jerky movements, and the muscle tightens instead.
- Give it time. Your nervous system needs a minute or two to "let go" of the tension. Do not judge by the first try.
- Repeat through the day. Moving briefly several times a day does more than one long stretch.
Why does frequent movement help?
The small joints of the spine and the discs live on movement too. If you move them again and again during the day, they glide more easily and stiffen less by the evening.
What to watch for
- A stretch should pull, not hurt.
- If the complaint spreads into your arm or leg, you feel numbness, or you are worse after stretching, stop.
- If the stiffness keeps coming back for weeks, it is worth having it looked at.
If you are not sure which exercise is right for you, book an appointment – we will show you, and check that you are doing it well.
