If you are anything like me, stiffness from the waist down is a reality. For thirteen years, I struggled to bend at the hip, knee, and ankle. I attributed my physical challenges to age.
After several trips to the orthopedic office, I was feed up with my stiff joints. The only way to improve my physical state was to strengthen my muscles and increase my range of motion.
Daily stretching improves flexibility significantly. However, initially I could not figure out how to broaden my range of motion in my knees, ankle, and achilles areas. I decided to improve my knees, calves, ankles and achilles flexibility by stretching beyond my comfort zone. I asked myself “What position causes me the most discomfort?” That would be sitting in a low seat or on the floor and then trying to get up.
Here’s what I decided to do. Every day, I would sit on the floor and get up (with as little assistance as possible from my furniture) five times a day. Two months later, I could fully bend my knees, ankles, and achilles and rise off the floor effortlessly.
Sitting on the floor and getting up made me stretch my knees, my calves, my ankles, and my achilles in different positions. Another benefit was the ability to bend my knees lower when squatting.
There’s a lot to be said for a dedicated effort to strengthen and improve your flexibility. Nothing happens overnight, and never be discouraged. Slow progress is good progress.
My main takeaway: Remember to stretch every day. Stretch when your muscles are warm – maybe after showering.
Contemplate:
- What stretches help your flexibility?
- When you stretch, do you feel better?