Fatigue, Pain and Movement
Why a lack of movement might be at the root of your fatigue & pain
Our modern life finds us spending long hours in office chairs, car seats, or on the couch… however we might not realise how deeply this sedentary lifestyle can affect our health!
Movement is a foundational part of how our bodies function. When we forget to incorporate movement into our daily lives, a number of systems begin to suffer.
A few conditions I commonly see in clinic that would benefit from movement include:
Fatigue, Low energy
When you’re feeling fatigued, getting up and moving might sound counterintuitive. However, regular gentle movement can actually help increase your energy. It’s about finding the balance between overly intense exercise and not enough movement… enough so that it doesn’t drain you further. Movement improves circulation (through your muscles and organs), regulates cortisol, and supports your body’s production of energy. If you’ve woken up sluggish after a full night’s sleep, ask yourself if you moved enough the day before!
Hormonal Imbalance
Movement supports blood, fluid, and lymph circulation. Without it, circulation in the pelvic area can slow, contributing to:
– painful, light, or heavy periods
– cramping and bloating
– hormonal imbalances
Crossing legs constantly can also create stagnation in the hips, pelvis, and low back, causing local tension!
Muscle and Joint Pain
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to tight muscles and stiff joints. Common issues we see in clinic are:
– neck and back pain
– shoulder tightness
– hip tension
– tight jaw and headaches
Regular movement helps prevent chronic tension buildup.
Mental Health
Movement not only aids in circulation, which indirectly improves mood, but it also stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins help to regulate your stress hormones and prevent chronic anxiety, depression, irregular moods, brain fog, and poor sleep.
Gut Issues
Physical movement helps to stimulate peristalsis, movement of food through your intestines. It also brings blood flow to your digestive organs and helps to regulate your nervous system, which has a direct effect on your gut. Lack of movement can lead to:
– constipation
– bloating
– slow gut movement
– reflux
Finding the most helpful movement for your body will improve the functionality of many systems in your body. Whether it be physical or mental.
Gentle consistent movement can have a powerful effect on your daily life. Even 5-10mins a day could make all the difference! If you’re curious to what movements will benefit you most, we can certainly dive into this topic during treatments.
Book in now to get on top of your fatigue and pain!
– Michelle
