Monday, December 14, 2015

Flexibility is overlooked in preventing Back and Joint Pain and Stiffness

Singapore Spine






"Keep yourself flexible as part of a regular exercise regime" states Dr Prem Pillay from the Neuro Spine and Pain Center Singapore.
Effective fitness programs should include cardiovascular training, strength building and flexibility exercises, but the flexibility component is often overlooked, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
"Increasing your flexibility improves your ability to move easily," orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raymond Rocco Monto, of Nantucket, Mass., said in an academy news release. Dr Prem Pillay agrees and says "Don`t focus on strength and cardiovascular excercises only"
"Some joints lose up to 50 percent of motion as we age. There are many ways to improve your joint flexibility, including controlled stretches held for 10-30 seconds, stretches that rely on reflexes to produce deeper flexibility, as well as yoga and pilates," explained Monto.
Including flexibility exercises in your workouts helps reduce back and joint pain, increases circulation, improves joint motion, boosts athletic performance and improves muscle health.
To get the most out of flexibility training, always warm up before you stretch, Monto said. Stretching cold muscles can lead to injuries.
He advises stretching slowly and gently, and breathing into your stretch to avoid muscle tension. Relax and hold each stretch for 10 to 30 seconds.
Don't bounce while stretching because doing so can cause injuries. Also, stretching should not hurt, Monto said. If you feel pain, go easier on the stretch, breathe deeply and relax into it.
"Certain sports such as Table Tennis and Badminton incorporate flexiblity as a part of the sport movement and this is useful to those who practise it" says Dr Prem Pillay. Akido,"Wu Shu and other martial arts also have a good flexibility component that is useful"states Dr Prem. However Back pain that persists despite the correct exercise regime should be check out by a Spine Specialist as it may be linked to Spine nerve irritation and not a simple muscle strain.




SOURCE: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, news release, Nov. 4, 2015
Neuro Spine and Pain Center Singapore (http://www.singaporespine.org)
Medline Plus,USA






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