The long months of staying put indoors are taking a toll on many Americans. Although the dissemination of a vaccine is soon underway, people still need to be mindful of going outdoors. Unfortunately, many people may develop symptoms of lethargy due to the long periods of inactivity. If you start noticing signs that your patient’s body is no longer flexible, it may be time to be more mindful about their physique’s condition.
Understanding the value of mobility and flexibility
Even if a person isn’t physically active, keeping their body limber is necessary to stay healthy. Flexibility allows people to unload muscle tension and soreness while also reducing their risk of getting injuries. In relation to flexibility, mobility allows a person’s joints to have a free range of motion without experiencing significant strain from overexertion.
When your patients perform tasks like reaching for objects in high places, their flexibility will play a crucial role if they’ll be successful or sustain injuries. Although the minor pain experienced when stretching out is temporary, it can lead to long-term damage through microtears. This is why it’s necessary to improve the body’s aerobic fitness and muscular strength to allow the limbs to have a full range of motion.
Combining physical exertion and breathing exercises
Increasing a person’s flexibility comes from routinely following static and dynamic stretching. Training for 3 days every week for 10 to 15 minutes is enough to keep your patient’s body engaged and active. However, besides relying on physical exercises, you can instruct your patient to undergo breathing exercises to improve their form and concentration.
Proper breathing is a crucial part of exercising. Stretching, specifically diaphragmatic breathing, allows a person to breathe more effectively while using less energy. Additionally, it stimulates and strengthens a person’s core muscles
To teach your patient to perform diaphragmatic breathing, you should first request them to either sit in a chair or stand firmly. Instruct them to place their hand on either side of their ribcage. Next, tell them to inhale from the nose, to fill their lungs with air until their ribs expand. They should then exhale through their mouth, utilizing the core and pelvic floor muscles to push the air out. By incorporating this cyclical breathing pattern, you increase the efficiency of your patient’s stretching exercises.
Adjusting your patients’ regimen
Like fitness regimens, flexibility workouts will require regular adjustment in terms of the number of sets, positions, and more. As your patient progresses and develops their physique, they’ll need to increase the intensity of their exercises if necessary.
On the other hand, the first few weeks of their stretching exercises may be too much for their body to handle. Remember to request their transparency about what they feel before, during, and after their stretching exercise. You may need to adjust their sets and reduce their exercises until they can be consistently comfortable with their routine.
Conclusion
Being stuck indoors can lead to many complications in a person’s well-being. Thankfully, people can still seek help from their physicians through the recent advancements to telemedicine. The medical industry might have to brace for a new surge of patients with the presence of the new COVID-19 strain. This is why it’s necessary to stay up-to-date with local and international news in the healthcare industry.
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