Joint stiffness is just a part of getting old, right?
Wrong!
Stiff joints in the morning and after sitting don’t have to be a daily struggle, and there are several natural treatment strategies that we share in this blog.
We understand how much joint pain and reduced mobility can impact your life – making it hard to do the simple things like walk around the grocery store, drive to see friends, and enjoy your hobbies.
What Causes Stiff Joints?
Joint stiffness causes pain, ranging from mild to severe, and may reduce mobility, either due to pain-restricted movement, or physically being unable to move the joint fully (such as a Frozen Shoulder).
There are some common causes of stiff joints which we often see in our Dallas clinic.
Firstly, stiff joints and muscle tightness can be caused by poor posture.
Over time, poor posture puts pressure on muscles, pulls joints out of alignment and creating unhelpful movement patterns.
There can also be a number of medical conditions that make joints feel sore and unable to move freely such as arthritis, tendonitis, Lupus and bursitis.
Finally, other lifestyle factors such as your weight and diet can contribute to painful joints.
Why Do I Get Joint Stiffness In The Morning?
Waking up with stiff joints in the morning can be a terrible start to the day.
Overnight, you aren’t moving much, and this reduces fluid in the joint, making it much more difficult for your joints to move freely when you get out of bed the next morning.
For most people, once you’re up and moving around the house, you should find that you can move much easier, and soreness wears off quickly.
If you’re suffering with joint stiffness after 30 minutes of activity, there may be a more serious issue, or may need specialist advice to help you make mornings more manageable.
Why Do I Get Stiff Joints After Sitting?
Similar to joint stiffness in the morning, sitting is usually an activity where we are in the same position for a longer period of time.
That could be reading a book, watching your favorite boxset, or driving – whatever the reason for sitting, you will notice that it leaves your knees, hips, lower back, shoulders and neck with very little movement.
Another factor which causes joint stiffness after sitting is the position that our bodies are in.
Next time you are sat on the sofa (which may be right now) – think about your position.
When new patients come into our clinic with back, knee or hip pain, it’s not uncommon to see people sat very unevenly. And after a little time sitting, that uneven position can create a lot of joint problems including stiffness.
How To Lubricate Stiff Joints Naturally
Just because you have stiff joints doesn’t mean that you have to resort to painkillers, injections or risky surgery.
Fortunately, there are some proven strategies
Heat Therapy
A simple way to lubricate stiff joints naturally, and ease discomfort is using heat and ice therapy.
Heat can be applied using a heat pad, hot water bottle or by taking a hot shower or bath. By applying heat to the stiff joints, surrounding muscles relax and circulation is increased which helps joints move much more freely.
Ice Therapy
Ice can also be beneficial for joint stiffness by using a cold compress, or a bag of ice wrapped in a thin towel for 20 minutes several times a day.
By reducing the temperature of the joint, inflammation and swelling should reduce and loosen the joint. Ice can also reduce the sensitivity of pain receptors, making this a drug-free way to ease pain.
Keep Moving
Another way to lubricate joints is to simply keep them moving as often as you practically can.
This doesn’t mean you need to be on your feet all day long, but if you are going to be driving for an hour, take a break half way through to get out of the car and walk for a minute or two.
The same rule applies if you are sat at home, or in the office – Try and move every 30 minutes and this frequent movement should keep your joints lubricated and minimise stiffness and pain.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy combines massage, exercises, stretching and a holistic approach to help you truly understand your joint pain, improve mobility and provide natural pain relief.
By understanding the cause of your joint stiffness, you know exactly what to do (and what not to do) to eliminate the problem, and get back to doing the things you love.
With massage, exercise and stretching, our team are able to massively speed up the recovery from any injuries and help you minimise those annoying aches and pains.
Treatment For Stiff Joints In The Morning And After Sitting
If you’re waking up with stiff joint, or find pain strikes after sitting or driving, our team are here to help!
Whether you’re suffering with back problems, knee problems or neck and shoulder problems, there are drug-free ways to end, or at least drastically reduce, your stiff joints and pain.
Our Dallas clinic is in extremely high demand as more and more people choose physical therapy, but we are offering a limited number of Free Discovery Visits to help you make a better decision about your health.
To arrange your free discovery visit, contact us on by completing our simple webform or calling us on (214) 538-2559.
Choosing physical therapy is the first step to get you back to living without stiff joints and enjoying your life pain-free.
So, what are you waiting for…
If you’re battling with regular joint stiffness, visit us for a Free Discovery Visits.
Know Someone Struggling With Stiff Joints?
How would you like to win a massive $1,000 gift, or 5 free PT visits to help you with your own aches and pains?
Simply refer them for a free discovery visit and if they decide to get treatment with us, we will enter your name into the prize draw.
For full details, speak to our team in clinic or call us on (214) 538-2559.
Other Helpful Resources To Help You End Joint Stiffness
Download one of our free reports packed with proven strategies to relieve chronic muscle and joint pain: Free Back Pain Report, Free Knee Pain Report, Free Neck and Shoulder Report, Free Jaw (TMJ) Pain Report
Listen to one of our Podcasts such as Back or Sciatica Pain Sufferers: You Could Be Stretching the Wrong Way and Put An End To Your Jaw Pain
Or read one of our Blogs such as How To Relive Neck And Shoulder Pain Without Painkillers and Top 4 Tips to Overcome Knee Pain to Avoid Surgery and Injections
