Muscle and Joint Pain
By Matt Cook, Personal Training Manager, Defined Fitness
There are many causes of low back pain. One of the more overlooked reasons that such a huge percentage of Americans suffer from back pain is due to poor posture. The posture we have on a daily basis while we are walking, sitting, typing, eating, or even sleeping can affect the length of our muscles which, in turn, can move our bones and joints from the optimal position. When this happens, your body will not and can not function on the level we need it to. The poor function can affect joint pain, muscle aches, nerve function, blood flow, oxygen and nutrient delivery, and even brain function.
This scenario where the muscles are tighter and shorter on one side of a joint then the other is called a muscular imbalance. When muscular imbalances pull the body out of alignment, it is called a postural deviation. A muscle that is shorter and tighter will not have the blood flow because of the pressure put on the arteries. Our bodies deliver nutrients and oxygen to our muscles through the blood stream, so if the muscles are not getting the nutrients needed, they can build up toxins which can lead to illness and/or injury from tears or strains. When this happens, the muscles have a hard time contracting to their potential and will not be able to get a powerful nerve stimulus. If the muscles are in this state, then they are more prone to muscular atrophy at a younger age and a slower metabolism. The slower metabolism will make it harder to lose unwanted fat and will slow down the digestion of much needed nutrients. A combination of all these things speeds up the aging process and when combined with the polluted air we breathe can shorten life spans tremendously.
All of these things can be avoided through proper stretching, exercise and diet. By keeping our bodies healthy and active, we can maintain or improve muscular structure and alleviate much unwanted pain and joint discomfort.
Eating a healthy, well balanced diet and exercising regularly has become a necessity in our lives and is no longer an option. The first step in making this happen is to commit in your mind that you must do this. Once you have committed yourself, the next step is to find out exactly what your body needs. Everyone’s body is different and has different muscular imbalances. The personal trainers at Defined Fitness can do a free posture analysis and can get you on the way to a long, healthy and happy life.
