On the one hand, our joints are less lubricated, and the space between the sections of our spine may narrow, Winnie Yu, PT, DPT, CSCSis a New York-based physical therapist and strength coach, tells SELF.
These shifts can be increased by certain injuries and conditions, such as herniated discs, bone spurs, arthritisand spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of spaces within the spine that causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
“Especially if you target mobility early and incorporate it into your lifestyle, you can reduce your risk of injury,” says Dr. Yu.On a less severe scale, mobility work can also combat chronic annoyances such as backache and grouchy hip that prevent you from feeling your best every day.
This is especially true for those who spend most of the day sitting, which puts strain on the hips and back and encourages less-than-ideal posture. posture. To that end, mobility exercises can help you stand (or sit) straighter while also relieving tightness from straining, explains Dr. Yu. A person in their 20s might not be as sore from a day hunched over a computer, but someone in our mid-to-late 30s (and beyond) is, so targeted stretches can be a lifesaver.
Incorporating mobility movements into your workouts can also be beneficial. That’s because if you’re tight in certain areas—say, your upper back, mid-back, or hips—you can compensate by overstressing other areas, such as your shoulders, neck, and lower back, ultimately increasing the chance of strains and injuries there. By loosening up problem areas, you can potentially avoid these problems altogether, improving your long-term training ability.
