Flexibility: Why You Need It and How to Get It
By Genevieve Cunningham
Most of us take for granted our ability to move. We’ve been able to do it for as long as we can remember, and the days of inflexibility and immobility are far in our future. Or so we think. It can take us by surprise when we find ourselves losing precious flexibility even as a young adult. But, without precautions and prevention, losing flexibility is bound to happen. Why does this matter? And, if it’s so important, what exactly can we do about it?
Why Do We Need to Be Flexible?
This question is hard to answer unless you’ve actually felt the effects of inflexibility. Imagine not being able to turn your head to look for traffic, bending low to talk to a child, or walk more than a few feet. These side effects may be the reality of those who suffer from inflexibility. We need to be flexible in order to move and be active in life. Without it, stiffness and immobility take over significantly affecting quality of life.
Why Do We Lose It?
You’ve probably seen the incredible flexible nature of little kids. They’re amazing! The truth is that we were all like this. Inflexibility happens naturally with age, but we help it along by being inactive, avoiding exercise, gaining excess weight, and living a generally poor lifestyle.
How Do We Improve Flexibility?
There are many ways to boost your own flexibility. A few options include the following:
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Stretch - This seems like a no-brainer, right? Stretching elongates the muscles and ligaments and makes it easier to move. Without stretching, you can pretty much kiss your flexibility goodbye.
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Stay Active - While exercise is a great way to stay active, it’s not the only way. Staying active might include community involvement, hanging out with friends regularly, participating in local events, and other general happenings. The key is to beat the sedentary lifestyle and promote general movement in your life.
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Chiropractic Care - Chiropractic care is an excellent way to boost your overall health. For flexibility, chiropractic care is great for diminishing or eliminating pain. The less pain that you feel, the easier it is to move and the more active you can be. It may also help to keep your spine aligned consistently, which can prevent pains from popping up in the future, thus helping you stay more flexible and active long-term.
Stretching and staying active can be done on your own time and with little effort. If you would like to incorporate chiropractic care into your routine, visit with chiropractors at The Joint. In need of professional but friendly doctors? Worried about sky high prices or conflicts with scheduling? At The Joint, you’ll get the best doctors around, walk-in visits, and an affordable pricing plan that won’t break the bank. Improve your mobility, general health, and quality of life by getting to The Joint as soon as today!