And how anyone can benefit from mobility therapy
Physical mobility is about freedom of movement, and the ability to move normally and without pain is something we may take for granted. But mobility issues can arise at any age and for many reasons, such as an injury, surgery, a congenital condition, a change in physical activity, poor overall health, or just being sedentary for too long.
Symptoms can range from pain while walking, to issues participating in your favourite sport or activity, to problems getting in and out of your chair. Sometimes even performing simple daily tasks at work or at home can be a challenge if your mobility is below par. It’s well known that people with long term physical health issues are also likely to suffer mentally too. So maintaining good physical mobility is key to our overall quality of life and general wellbeing.
Although many mobility issues arise as we get older, pain while moving is not only in the purview of the elderly. People of all ages can suffer from mobility challenges, which means that anyone can benefit from mobility therapy, no matter how old they are or what the cause. Mobility therapy will help to restore or increase your mobility by improving your muscle strength, joint flexibility, balance and co-ordination.
So what conditions is mobility therapy ideally suited for, and who can benefit?
Patients with orthopaedic issues
Various issues of the musculoskeletal system, such as arthritis, or those who have undergone orthopaedic surgery who may need help to restore their full range of motion
Athletes and dancers
Whether you are prone to physical injuries, are a professional or an amateur, or just want to remain at peak performance
Multiple sclerosis patients
Who might be suffering from symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, fatigue, or are having issues with balance and movement
Patients who have recently had – or are about to have - joint replacement surgery
NICE recommends that patients receiving replacement joints should start physical therapy both before their operation and immediately afterwards. Many experts agree that early intervention promotes a better outcome for the patient.
Other conditions that can be treated with mobility therapy include:
Neck and back pain
Especially since these areas contain the spine, which can greatly affect your mobility. Mobility therapy can help to reduce pain or stiffness and help strengthen the neck and spine
Brain injuries
Which can cause impairment in motor skills and mobility such as reduced walking speed, an unstable posture, reduced cardiovascular fitness, increased susceptibility to fatigue and reduced ability to exercise aerobically
Concussion
Which is a mild form of brain injury and caused by sudden impact to the head. Symptoms can include headaches dizziness, fatigue, and difficulties with balance and co-ordination
Difficulty in walking
Which can be caused by injury, disease, or congenital conditions. Without realising it our walking gait changes putting strain on one side of the body or a “favoured” area
Dizziness, headaches, and migraines
Which can affect the sufferer’s ability to move around unassisted. Mobility therapy can help to decrease or resolve the intensity, frequency, and duration of headaches, and decrease the reliance on medications
Neurological disorders
People with disorders such as Parkinson’s or those recovering from a stroke tend to lose their automatic movements. Symptoms may include problems with walking and poor balance. Your feet begin to shuffle and performing two tasks at once becomes more difficult. Turning becomes challenging, often leading to a freezing episode and sometimes a fall.
Tendonitis
Which can occur in any joint and is most often caused by the overuse of a tendon in the course of work, athletics, or daily activities. It is most often associated with repetitive movements such as assembly line work or sports like golf or tennis where an action is repeated excessively
Sprains or strains
A sprain is where the soft tissue in a major joint - such as the ankles, wrists, neck, etc – is stretched beyond its limits. Sprains and strains can keep you from participating in sports or from performing your normal day-to-day activities
It’s important to remember that there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to improving your mobility. Which is why I use the BioMechanics Method for Corrective Exercise to assess each client’s pain or mobility challenges. By identifying the root causes of your pain I can design the most appropriate corrective exercise strategies to gradually bring you out of pain – and back to your normal self.
To find out more please contact me or book your Personal Pain Relief Programme online.
Live the life you want, not a life in pain.