Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy for Flexibility

Physical Therapy for Flexibility Burnaby BC

Flexibility in a physical context refers to the ability of your joints and muscles to move through their full range of motion without pain or restriction. In the most basic sense, people relate flexibility to being able to move and adjust their body in a manner that allows for enhanced performance in athletic and fitness endeavors. It may be what brought you here to this article today. And while critical to optimal performance in the gym and on the court, track, and field, flexibility is also very important for the following.

  • Improves mobility for every day activities.
  • Reduces the risk of injuries.
  • Promotes good posture and alignment.
  • Reduces muscle tension and soreness.
  • Supports overall well-being and improves quality of life.

 

Having recognized that you have limited range of motion of late (or for a long time) and are missing out on the benefits of it, you have come online to search for physical therapy for flexibility near you. If living within the Greater Vancouver area, our Burnaby BC physiotherapy clinic is where you need to be. Read ahead to learn more.

Why You Have Limited Flexibility and Why Our Physical Therapy / Physiotherapy Clinic is Where to Come for Help

Musculoskeletal and Lifestyle Issues That May Compromise Flexibility

Removing underlying medical conditions from the equation, musculoskeletal and lifestyle issues that may be the cause of your limited range of motion are detailed below, complete with a look at how our physiotherapy clinic will assist in restoring range of motion.

Physical Inactivity

As a lifestyle factor, muscles are not regularly stretched or used through a full range of motion when one is chronically physically inactive. Consequently, muscles become tight and inflexible. Being sedentary (i.e. sitting for prolonged periods of time) can shorten muscles, namely in the hips, hamstrings, and chest, leading to decreased flexibility. Furthermore, inactivity reduces blood flow to muscles and connective tissues, which can hinder their flexibility. Our physiotherapy will help you combat physical inactivity by providing personalized, goal-oriented exercise plans to improve strength, mobility, and balance, helping you transition from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one.

Injuries

Injuries to any of your muscles and ligaments can cause pain and inflammation, leading to a reduced range of motion and decreased flexibility. Meanwhile, damage to joints, including wear and tear on cartilage, restricts movement and causes stiffness. Moreover, injuries to nerves (pathways for electrochemical signals throughout the body) that control muscles can lead to muscle atrophy and decreased flexibility. Our physiotherapy clinic will help with acute and chronic injuries by reducing pain and inflammation through hands-on techniques and electrical stimulation in addition to alternative practices such as acupuncture and dry needling. You will experience restored strength and range of motion through personalized exercise programs and manual therapy.

Muscle Fatigue:

On the opposite side of physical inactivity (first section above) is excessive activity without allowing adequate recovery, resulting in muscle fatigue. Fatigued muscles are not able to lengthen and contract effectively, which can directly impact flexibility. Your Absolute PhysioCare physiotherapist will help with muscle fatigue by employing strategies such as progressive strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, stretching and flexibility programs, and soft-tissue therapies. They will also empower you with education regarding pacing and self-management which will help prevent future instances of muscle fatigue.

Age:
As we age, collagen, the protein responsible for providing elasticity to connective tissues, naturally declines, and leads to increased stiffness. Our physiotherapy clinic can help with collagen synthesis by using mechanical stimulation from exercises and soft tissue techniques to trigger fibroblast activity and encourage the production and alignment of new collagen fibers for tissue repair, strength, and enhanced range of motion. Muscle mass and strength also decrease with age, which can also contribute to reduced flexibility. Your physiotherapist will help with muscle loss via the provision of a personalized program that includes therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education, and manual therapy to rebuild strength, coordination, and flexibility. Lastly, joints experience wear and tear on joints in advanced years, which can lead to stiffness and reduced range of motion. Our clinic will employ restorative techniques (exercises, massage, and hot/cold therapy), teach proper posture and body mechanics, and can provide guidance the use of assistive devices (ergonomic tools) to reduce stress on the joints and subsequently improve flexibility.
Genetics:

A number of individuals are predisposed through genetic factors to have stiffer connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. If you’re among them, you will be less flexible by nature. There are also hereditary hypermobility disorders that can affect connective tissues and lead to reduced flexibility. While you may be tempted to shake a fist at your family tree, find peace of mind that our physiotherapy clinic can improve genetic inflexibility through a regime of i) targeted stretching ii) range-of-motion exercises iii) joint mobilization techniques iv) strength training, and v) manual therapies that lengthen muscles and improve joint movement.

Improve Flexibility Today Through Physical Therapy

(Burnaby and Vancouver residents)

CALL: 604.558.2273

EMAIL: [email protected]

 

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