We understand that some people want to find out a bit more about the cost and availability before they book a Physical Therapy appointment. If you want to know what it costs- and what availability we have at our physical therapy clinic in Montross, then please just click the button below and complete the short form:
BY DR. ARNAN SISSON PT (March 1, 2024)
Today I wanted to answer I common question that my massage therapist and I often get here at Sisson & Associates:
“I don’t have any pain right now, but I am really tight and stiff. I wake up first thing in the morning and just feel it throughout the whole day. It really stops me from doing things as easily as I’d like. Any advice?
I have lots of tips and advice to help with tightness or stiffness, but first I want to clear up ‘why’ we’re stiff in the first place.
Most folks think getting tight is just purely a part of old age, and while there is a little bit of truth to this, tightness isn’t always directly linked to your age.
With age, folks may be less active and this can lead to stiffer joints and muscles. And it's also true that as we get older theirs less fluid to lubricate joint movement, and the cartilage thins. But as always their other factors to consider.
Not getting enough fluids and dehydration can lead to tight stiff muscles. Since muscles are active tissues, they require the most water in the body.
Inactivity- staying in one position for a prolonged period of time can not only cause neck or back pain but it can also cause tissues to stiffen. Often times sleeping, sitting in a chair at work, driving, etc. can cause stiffness.
Stress can be another cause- when we’re stressed our bodies get in a state of “fight or flight,” and this can lead to ridged/tight posture that strains the muscles.
You may ask yourself what can be done about all this. No worries, I have you covered. Here are a few quick and simple ways to reduce stiffness regardless of your age.
It’s sad that a lot of folks accept stiffness in their lives as a norm and nothing can be done about it. But very often pain or stiffness can be taken care of as long as you have the right tools.
There you have it, four simple ways to take care of that stiffness. It should make it so getting back to those daily activities is a little bit easier.
P.S. If you happen to have some aches or pains that have come along with your stiffness, then check out one of our FREE E-books on back, neck, or knee pain. These books are great tools to help avoid pills, painful injections, and even expensive surgeries.