As a 50+ year old I have come to the point where I love being strong and being able to do what I like with my body; but there seems to be something going on with it all the time. I am sure that I am not the only one that is experiencing this.
All the healthy living, the great attitude and generally being active doesn’t seem to stop ‘things’ from happening- a pull here and there or something doesn’t feel right. I am probably not the easiest on my body either. Being fit and well, of course I don’t think in limitations, but in the extra things I can do.
So as I am on this journey to maintain and grow myself into a better version of myself I am obviously missing something.
Some time ago I was watching a lecture with Brett Jones, Senior RKC, on Corrective Strategies and Movement Screening. It this lecture he points out the importance of having symmetry in your movement patterns to reduce the chance of non- contact injury.
For myself I have been striving for this symmetry for a long time. It just irks me when the right side doesn’t work the same as the left- even to the point of just feeling one side as the favourite. That is usually the one we choose to step up with, reach high with and feels stronger.
In some weird way therein seems to lie the key for the ‘appearance’ of aches, pains and discomfort.
The other thing we all seem to be really good at is ignoring our body’s signals for needing a break from what we have been doing for the last number of weeks/ years.
Somewhere along the way we spend so much effort and time on ‘putting out’, but then we wonder why things start complaining. We haven’t invested any time in recharging our bodies. We do it great with our minds in the way of going on holiday (or even Friday nights- have a few drinks) and forgetting about work and life’s stresses, but what about the body?
Usually the attitude of ‘she’ll be right, mate’ is what stops us from using foam rollers to soften our muscles, getting massage or self massaging to smooth out any knots, or generally just getting enough good quality rest (not in front of the TV or other media).
So my take home message from this is to become more aware of any differences in how you move and feel from right to left and find someone that will help you address these differences. Listen to your body and invest in some time for massage, foam rolling or other means of restoring your muscles and give yourself a rest when your body demands it. It is only your longevity and your quality of life down the track.
I really like a quote o heard recently: “We spend all our time to make money and lose our health in the process, and then, when we stop working we spend all our money to buy back our health.”
I choose not to go there!