Too often, we seek help and begin looking after our bodies when we feel aches and pains. But musculoskeletal health should be a lifelong commitment, and seeking help from a myotherapist shouldn’t just happen when the damage has been done. Instead, incorporate exercises, stretches, and habits into your family’s schedule to give your bodies the care and support they need. Good musculoskeletal health starts early, and here are some great tips from your trusted Northern Myotherapy team on how to give you and your whole family a head start.
First things first, what is the musculoskeletal system and how does it get injured?
Your musculoskeletal system is composed of your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and soft tissues. Simply put it helps you move and do the things you love. Over time, injuries, stress, aging, and disease can lead to pain and stiffness, but a healthy lifestyle can help keep your musculoskeletal system stronger for longer. How?
1) Get moving!
It should come as no surprise that exercise plays a crucial part in building strong, healthy bodies, and keeping pain and stiffness at bay. Give your kids the best start by enrolling them in sports early on, and making family outings active. Go for walks and hikes, or play ball at the park – find what works for your family and make it stick! Making sure stretching and muscle recovery is a natural part of any physical activity is also a great way to avoid injury, pain, and stiffness down the line. If you’re looking to get back into fitness, we’ve got a handy blog to get you moving!
2) Eat a balanced, healthy diet
You are what you eat, and a balanced diet helps feed and strengthen our musculoskeletal system. So (as much as you can), skip the ready-meals and sugary drinks, and instead opt for lots of leafy greens, lean proteins, fresh fruits, nuts, and lots of water.
3) Go outside and soak up the rays
Sunshine strengthens our bones by boosting our bodies’ production of vitamin D which helps with the absorption of calcium which strengthens bones. Just remember, in Australia, the sun is especially strong, so make sure you and the whole family slips, slops, slaps, and wraps before heading outside. That said, the flipside of being sunsmart means reducing the absorption of vitamin D from the sun. To be safe, speak to your doctor about whether or not you’re getting the right amount naturally for your optimal health.
4) Get enough sleep
Our bodies heal strains and strengthen our muscles while we sleep, so making sure we get the right amount of sleep each night gives our bodies the best chance to restore itself for the day to come. Making sure the whole family sleeps on quality mattresses of the correct firmness is also key for solid sleeps and for preventing pain and stiffness.
Say hello!
Sleep, exercise, healthy diet, and sunshine are some proven ways to boost our musculoskeletal system, regardless of age. Having a trusted myotherapy specialist to look to when our bodies grow, get injured, or age is also key to reducing pain and stiffness. If you’d like more tips, guidance, or support in improving your musculoskeletal health, or you’d like to book an appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team.
