generalstiffness3A certain amount of stiffness or decreasing joint mobility does occur with age. It would be unusual to come across an eighty year old who is as flexible as the average twenty year old. Accepting some changes with age is inevitable but sometimes age can be used as an excuse to put up with things that can be changed given the right advice.

Only rarely do we see “general stiffness” which gives us cause for concern. By taking a detailed case history and asking questions specific to your problem an osteopath can judge which patients are likely to benefit from treatment and those who need to be referred back to their GP for further investigations.

 
Who says what is normal? This is where we can help!
 
An osteopath can assess your general body type and assess whether you are as mobile as you should be for your particular body and age. Lack of appropriate exercise can cause joints to stiffen causing aches and pains when you try to do things. Joints benefit from gentle exercise that encourages the blood supply in and out of the joints and helps the muscles to retain their strength, thus supporting and protecting the joints. Patients frequently need encouragement and guidance on appropriate exercise. It isn’t always easy to change the habits of a lifetime or believe that things can improve. Appropriate exercise varies according to your level of fitness and age.

 
As a general rule of thumb most people’s joints stay reasonably well (providing that they have not been injured or placed under unreasonable strain) until the age of about thirty. After thirty if you would like your joints to stay fit, healthy and flexible…… here’s the bad news……. exercise is generally a must !!!
 

image_general_stuffness1The spine plays an essential part in most movements.  There is hardly a movement we do that does not involve the spine in some way. Many people these days have jobs in which they sit at a computer or remain in the same position for hours on end. Staying in a fixed position demands that the postural muscles are in constant use i.e. the muscles will remain contracted and eventually these muscles will fatigue.

 
Muscles that remain over contracted for too long build up fibrotic tissue, which is less pliable so that over a period of time they become tight, stiff and sore.
 

Additionally when we remain static the postural load may fall unevenly, placing excessive strain on one particular joint.  In practice we commonly see this happening at the base of the neck close to the shoulder blades.  In this instance the joints can become over strained and unstable causing the muscles to contract acting as a natural splint so stiffness results.  Most of these situations can be addressed and corrected by appropriate osteopathic treatment, being aware of posture, changing position more frequently and structured exercise.