Anyone overcome chronic stiffness via daily stretching

[stiffasanironingboard]

As per my username, I am stiff. Really stiff.

shoulders, thoracic spine, lats, hips, neck (terrible)…you name it.

I’m only mid-40s and don’t want a lifetime of stiffness and pain ahead of me.

I am time poor (busy job, teen taxi, regular volunteering etc).

I know my posture doesn’t help and am desk-based and often don’t realise my posture is bad when I’m stressed or anxious.

has anyone managed to successfully overcome similar? Stretching? Massage?

I was so stiff, I was finding it hard to get out of bed. I started doing tai chi classes and the difference is remarkable.

Following with interest, as I increasingly hobble around like I'm 100.

Get some GOPO tablets from Boots, they contain rose hip, they have reduced my stiffness a lot.

Interesting!

the stiffness is definitely muscle/ligament related rather than joint as such…does it work for that too?

More important than posture is not sitting in the same position all the time, so remember to move and change position every now and again. Never sit for more than an hour - I am lucky enough to have a sit/stand desk both at home and in the office, but just getting up and moving for a few minutes will help.

I find regular yoga helps (the Yoga with Adriene channel has some good short practices, even ones you can do at your desk - search for "yoga with adriene desk yoga"

Also, aches and pains are a symptom of perimenopause, so maybe do a symptom checker to see if that might be the cause, or exacerbating things?

Yup, pilates or yoga. I'm more flexible in my 50's than I was 30 years ago. Shame I have no one to appreciate it but that's another story!

Pilates made a massive difference to me, plus cat/cow stretches regularly, plus stretching the backs of my legs at the end of each day on a step. Oh and making sure I can get up from sitting on the floor without using hands.

Totally recommend Tom Morrison - he sells a program but has a lot of stuff available on YouTube for free

He's funny and realistic and his stuff really helps with the sort of stiffness you're describing

https://youtube.com/@tommorrison?si=h0Fu_HzIR1l6IufJ

@Summerhillsquare@Hellinnnnn- which one do you do? And for how long/how many times per week?

I try and do a Run Better With Ash video on YouTube a few times a week. I do no running btw but I like his videos, good combo of stretching, balance work, a bit of bodyweight exercises. I think it’s good as an overall deterioration prevention.

I moved from an office job to a much more active one. Felt like I was going to die the first few weeks 🤣 But longer term it's made a massive difference - much less stiffness and more energy. Basically, you need to move more.

I go to a Pilates class once a week. They can be really variable so you need to find one that works for you. Same with yoga. From my pov it’s important that the instructor pays attention to people’s posture and corrects it. The stretching isn’t a program - just something I do every night and the more you do it the easier it becomes.

Great thread OP - thank you. I have lots of aches & stiffness which cause pain and they limit my flexibility.

Can anyone recommend any short online/free yoga or pilates exercise classes, please?

Thank you.

I did in my forties. Started taking turmeric supplements daily on advice from a nurse friend. Within 2 months all my aches and arthritic pains were gone.
im 65 now and honestly I don’t have even the tiniest ache ever.

Seen alot of people trying these daily lymphatic drainage exercises. One bloke
(not this guy) said it cured his back pain. Helps you get moving and drains your lymph system

https://www.tiktok.com/@julius.rogonja/video/7538470302687169814?lang=en-GB

You don’t need static stretching. You need movement. I had terrible back and shoulder pain. Do you know what got rid of it? I got a horse and spent an hour a day walking around mucking out and pushing a wheelbarrow! No more back pain.