Movement is Medicine:  the Healing Power of Movement

If you're not getting enough motion in your daily routine, your muscles and joints may become stiff, causing unnecessary pain or discomfort.

Besides being a great way to reduce stress, activity has been shown recently to be healthy for your joints.  In the Journal of Physiology (March 2008), a study determined that joint movement has been shown to increase the release of synovial fluid.

This fluid keeps the joint surfaces sliding with minimal friction, providing lubrication for the joints.  Kind of like how motor oil provides lubrication for your car's engine.

This study also showed an increase in one of the major components of this fluid, that occurred with movement.  Specifically, hyaluronic acid had a much greater turnover rate - 8-15 hours (with movement) vs. 17-30 hours in a static joint (lack of movement).

It was concluded that motion may increase the viscosity of synovial fluid to protect the joints during intensive use.  If you are someone doing intense exercise, doing simple movements in between your exercise sessions may keep your joints working properly.

On the other hand, if you are someone very sedentary, the lack of adequate motion may be harmful to your joints.  Muscles and joints that are seldom moved will become stiff over time - move it or lose it!

In the last 6 years, I have done a lot of mobility and dynamic flexibility training, and it has helped me reduce stress, move more efficiently, and allow me to exercise intensely.

Basically.......feel younger than my actual age of forty something.  

Actually, I feel pretty much the same as I did in my late twenties, only my movement is much more efficient.  Its helped me keep active after several injuries to my shoulders and strained muscles from playing lots of softball and lifting weights.

Doing simple movements that take your joints through their various patterns of motion is one way to work on joint health.  Training with Indian clubs is another.  Just adding some walking into your daily routine, will also help.

So if you want to feel better and more youthful,

Get moving!

Brian