By Dan Vidal
All of the structures in your body including your muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels and organs are suspended in a web of elastic connective tissue designed to transmit and disperse outside forces. This web basically acts like a shock absorber for all your vital and sensitive bits. Pretty cool, right?
It follows then that if there are any restrictions or distortions in this web of elastic tissue, the functions of the various systems that are supported and connected by it will become compromised.
Muscles, tendons and other connective tissue can be overworked, circulation can become impeded, nerves can become impinged, and organ function can be restricted as a result.
We sit stressed out all day in our cars and at work. We go to the gym, lift heavy weights, and train individual muscles in the same repetitive and limited ranges of motion. We get hurt and then keep on pushing through. It’s no surprise then that we become tight and stiff, and that we develop chronic pain and tissue damage over time.
So, what are some things you can do to stop and even reverse this process? Getting assessed and treated by a trained therapist is the best way, but simply getting up and moving more is a great start!
Take a break from work every 20 – 30 minutes and do some squats or take a short walk. I love to shadow box during my breaks because it relieves stress, gets the heart rate up, and encourages rotational movements (which are sorely lacking in most exercise routines).
Get creative! The key is to experiment and get more familiar with your body and all the different ways that it can move. Don’t be afraid to play.