“That’s too easy - there’s no way that will change anything”…
Recently I read an article about fascia. Not a very simple or well understood subject, but the recommendations for keeping it healthy - especially as we enter mid to later life? Pretty darn simple.
Keep moving. And, drink water.
In 2007 it was discovered that fascia has nerve endings and can be a source of pain. It can adhese and limit mobility, reshape itself and affect posture, become stiff with age, and be damaged via injury, surgery, underuse, and overuse, causing pain. New research suggests that caring for it may help treat chronic pain and improve one’s overall sense of well-being.
While fascia and its relationship to pain is very complex and yet to be well understood, it doesn’t take complicated or complex strategies to keep it healthy. Even better, these recommendations help our overall health, which makes them great ideas to use for any goal aiming to support health.
#1 - keep moving
By this we’re talking about moving in a variety of ways and ranges of motion. No matter how debilitated you feel, movements are nearly always possible – in fact, sitting still makes things worse. Maybe you get up and down from your chair a few times every hour you’re seated, walk to the end of your driveway and back, do a few seated twists in your chair at your desk, enjoy a couple side bends while you’re waiting for water to boil at the stove, let your bent knees drop side to side while in bed, or roll out your wrists and ankles. I could go on! The point is to build in little movements in a variety of ways throughout your day. If you’re more mobile you could enjoy a yoga practice, a pilates class, go swimming, enjoy a long walk or run, (insert your favorite activity here!), but pay attention to pain, as this might be a key sign that you need some additional help.
Often, helping ourselves feel better is as simple as moving with intention in all 3 planes of motion and doing some detail work (what I like to think of as “deep cleaning”) for our joints.
#2 - drink water
This is vital for long term health. As many of you know, I’m studying Āyurveda (a 5,000+ year old medical system from India), and it has a lot to say about drinking water, a testament to the impact that this simple act has on our health. One of its overall recommendations is to drink warm water first thing in the morning, as we get dehydrated during sleep and the warm water is more absorbable than cold water. Doing this one simple act every morning can make a profound difference in your health; and help ease physical pains caused by fascial adhesions when combined with gentle movement.
If these suggestions resonate with you, I encourage you to give them a try! While they are simple, it’s not always easy to turn them into a regular habit, so pick one or two things to start, and give yourself grace and permission to try again if you miss some days.
And if you discover an increase in discomfort or pain, or have difficulties in doing these movements, then it’s time to ask for help so you can find ways to expand your range of movement in a safe and supported way; extending your mobility and allowing you to be more active in the weeks, months, and years to come. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions in this area – I promise I’ll always try to help you as much as I can.
Happy exploring!