Are you having trouble bending forward to tie your shoes, putting on your t-shirt, reaching overhead for a cup on a shelf, or sitting? Joint stiffness can prevent you from doing these and many other things. Joint stiffness can effect the elbows, wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, neck, lower back, and ankles. Joint stiffness is the first stop on the path to PAIN. This can further restrict you from being able to do many other things such as driving, working, or going to a movie.
What is joint stiffness, exactly? It is a situation in the body where we feel tightness in the parts of our body that bend. Joint stiffness presents with the sensation of not being able to fully rotate, bend, or extend a joint in the body. Reaching and stretching may become limited with everyday activities. The inability to fully move a joint may be a result from inflammation caused by one (or more) reasons. Joint stiffness should be taken as a warning sign that the joint needs attention. As you can see, it is important to address this before it gets to the point of pain.
Some of the most common causes of joint stiffness are:
- muscular tightness
- tight ligaments/capsular
- muscle weakness causing poor joint alignment and tracking
- loss of joint space with osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- structural damage from wear and tear or injury and the resulting inflammation
Joint stiffness be treated by:
- skilled joint mobilization
- soft tissue mobilization
- specific strength and stability exercises; and
- correction of body mechanics to protect the joints affected
Joint stiffness and breakdown, especially as the body ages, is a definite reality, however it is a reality that can be addressed and treated with more than medication. A physical therapist at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center can evaluate, diagnose, and create a treatment plan that gives you the greatest chance of alleviating your joint stiffness. CALL 703-450-4300 TODAY.
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