Exercises for loosening joints

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on finding effective exercises or regimens to alleviate joint stiffness, particularly for individuals over 60. Participants explore various disciplines that may benefit joint mobility without emphasizing weight training or cardio exercises.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire for a regimen to loosen joints, suggesting yoga as a potential solution but seeking input from others with successful experiences.
  • Another participant recommends swimming as a low-impact exercise that may benefit joint health.
  • Some participants inquire about stretching techniques, with one suggesting a method involving muscle contraction and relaxation to improve flexibility.
  • Chair yoga is proposed as a suitable option, particularly for older adults, though some participants question the necessity of professional guidance for such exercises.
  • Concerns are raised about whether stiffness is due to joint issues or weak muscles, with one participant sharing personal experiences of improving strength through exercise.
  • There is a discussion about the roles of physical therapists and personal trainers, with differing opinions on the necessity of professional assistance for stretching and exercise.
  • One participant shares a specific technique used by gymnasts to increase flexibility, emphasizing its effectiveness for muscle limitations rather than joint problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to address joint stiffness, with multiple competing views on the effectiveness of various exercises and the necessity of professional guidance.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the underlying causes of joint stiffness, whether it is due to joint issues or muscle weakness. There are also varying opinions on the appropriateness of different exercise modalities and the role of professional trainers.

  • #31
morrobay said:
You can check your posture by standing back flat against a wall with palms out at shoulders. Wall contact points are heels. tail bone, and back of head. If you don't feel any pulling good. Now slowly raise hands sliding palms up the wall as far as you can. You should feel that
Update:

With heels and tailbone against the wall, I can just barely touch my head to the wall. It is uncomfortable, akin to any head rest.

I can touch the backs of my hands to the wall at shoulder height, but only a fair bit of discomfort at my shoulders.

While keeping my hands in contact with the wall, I am unable to raise my arms higher than my head, at least not without a great deal of pain.
 
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  • #32
Yes this you must do often. You can start this program first just with the contact points all against the wall . You can force this since that is the correcting mechanism. Then after you have all the points on the wall with minimum pulling . The
next phase is sliding back of hands up against the wall. Take as long as it take for phase one. Ie you are working against years of incorrect posture. So this is a soft tissue situation and controllable.
 
  • #33
Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 
  • #34
There has been too much medical-type advice given in this thread, so it needs to remain closed.

Dave -- please do talk to a local Physical Therapist or Personal Trainer to discuss your best ways forward.
 
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