Chiropractor Training Tip: Mobility

Mobility is a common phrase that we hear around gyms a lot these days. Prior to the mobility movement most people used to do a few static stretches in their cool down and think that they were fully recovered. Now days mobility work has gained a lot of traction and people are benefiting from a decent amount of self maintenance pre and post workout.

What is mobility and why you should do it?

Mobility refers to our ability to move our bodies freely. It involves building strength and range of motion around a joint. This is slightly different from flexibility which simply involves the range of motion of the joint and the muscle. Some one who has good mobility should have full range of motion plus strength and stability in their joints. Maintaining your mobility is so important as we get a bit older. During your early twenties your body still has the flexibility from your childhood. As you get older it is not uncommon to lose range of motion and the ability to recover. This is where a good mobility programme is so important for maintaining your ability to exercise and move correctly and without pain.

How do you perform mobility exercises?

As I stated before mobility routines are a bit different from basic static stretching. Basic mobility exercises often involve a combination of self myofascial release work using a trigger point ball, stretching with bands to allow for greater joint distraction and range of motion plus the usual stretches most people are used to. There are also more advanced techniques available but that is a good starting point. The combination of a number of different methods to improve mobility is ideal for assisting in recovery from exercise and maintaining good joint and muscle health. The general recommendations are to do around 15 minutes per day of mobility work even if you haven’t exercised. If you would like specific advice around how to correctly mobilise or have an injury you would like assistance please contact my Chiropractic clinic.