Best Ways to Increase Range of Motion – Tips & Exercises

Enhancing joint mobility plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When your body moves adequately, it contributes to feelings of vitality and well-being. There are several approaches to increase range of motion. It is very important to start with a proper warm-up. It helps blood flow to your muscles and joints. The blood flow will prepare them for stretching, flexion, and extension. Effective stretching techniques include: 

• static, 
• dynamic, 
• proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching. 

You can also use tools such as foam rollers or massage balls to release muscle tension.

Try to incorporate stretching and movement into your daily routine. Do at least a few sessions a week. It is important to listen to your body’s cues and avoid pushing yourself too hard. Progressing through your range of motion stretching allows your body to improve.

What is the Range of Motion?

Range of motion (ROM) refers to the movement achieved in a specific joint or combination of joints. It describes how a joint can move in various directions and angles. Joint mobility is used to state joint flexibility, mobility, and musculoskeletal health. But it can always be improved with stretching to increase flexibility.

Each joint in the body has a normal functional movement that is affected by various factors. This is the structure of the joint, surrounding muscles, ligaments, and individual variations. The joint range can vary between people and depends on age. Injuries, diseases, or other factors are also important.

To improve your degree of movement, you can use ROM exercise. These exercises are of different types and difficulty levels. It is better to choose them individually and after consultation with a specialist.

Types of Range of Motion

The range of movement is typically measured and described in degrees. The two main types of range of motions are:

• Active (AROM). AROM refers to the movement performed by a person using their muscle power. It demonstrates the person’s ability to move the joint through its full range.
• Passive (PROM). PROM refers to the movement achieved in a joint when another person moves it without the individual’s muscle activation. PROM is useful for assessing joint flexibility. A therapist evaluates when a person cannot move a joint due to injury or other conditions.

By improving their articular range, individuals can use stretching to increase flexibility. It is often used in sports, rehabilitation programs, and activities of daily living. You should use it to maintain or regain optimal movement capabilities. 

Chiropractic Tips to Increase Range of Motion

There are some useful tips, that can help you to boost your ROM:

• Regular Chiropractic Adjustments. Manual therapistsare experts in the musculoskeletal system. They can identify and correct joint restrictions or misalignments.
• Stretching and Exercise. Chiropractors often recommend specific exercise routines to improve the articular movements. These exercises may target particular muscle groups or focus on overall mobility. 
• Posture Correction. A specialist can assess your posture and make recommendations to improve your alignment. He may also recommend strengthening the supporting muscles and reducing postural imbalances. This imbalance often limits the degree of mobility.
• Soft Tissue Therapy. Chiropractors can use a variety of gentle tissue techniques. This can be massage, myofascial release, or therapy using tools. This helps cut soft tissue restrictions that can limit a certain range of motion.
• Lifestyle Modifications. Your manual therapist may guide lifestyle modifications that can support your range of motion stretching. This may include advice on ergonomics or proper body mechanics. Also, recommendations may refer to actions that should be avoided to prevent further limitations of joint flexibility.
• Home Care. Besides chiropractic care, your spine specialist may suggest specific exercises. It can also be stretching, or self-care techniques to perform at home or spine alignment methods.

Remember, it is important to consult with a qualified chiropractor. A specialist will be able to assess your specific condition and develop an individual treatment plan. It will take into account your medical history, current limitations, and general health. The therapist will work to provide the most effective care to improve mobility.

Best exercises for range of motion

Improving joint mobility requires a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises. These exercises should target the muscles and joints involved. Exercise will help you to increase range of motion and contribute to a better sense of well-being. To get results, it is better to perform them regularly. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity as your body allows. You should consult with a healthcare professional if you have any specific concerns or limitations. Don’t push yourself; don’t put too much strain on your body so you risk giving up quickly. It is better to do fewer exercises but do it regularly. In a short time, you will see noticeable changes in your health. 

Below are some exercises for range of motion for different body parts. Try them and your body condition will improve a lot.

Neck and shoulder ROM exercises

• Neck Rolls. Perform gentle circular movements with your head. Rotate it in one direction and then in the opposite one. This activity aids in enhancing the mobility and flexibility of your neck.
• Shoulder Rolls. Lift your shoulders towards your ears. Then roll them backward, and finally lower them down. Repeat this circular movement many times. Enhance the mobility of your shoulder joints.

Hand exercises

• Arm Circles. Stretch your arms out sideways, parallel to the ground, at shoulder level. Begin making small circular motions with your arm. Expand the size of the circles. After a few repetitions, switch the direction of the circles. This ROM exercise promotes shoulder mobility.
• Wrist Flexibility Exercise. Straighten your arm in front of you, with your palm facing downward. With the other hand, pull the fingers of the outstretched hand towards you. Pull until you feel a gentle stretch in your wrists and forearms. Maintain the stretch for a few seconds and then repeat the process on the opposite hand.

Exercises for legs and pelvis

• Standing Quadriceps Stretch. Stand up and use a stable object for support. Bend one knee and bring your heel towards your buttocks, grasping the ankle with your hand. Maintain the position for 20-30 seconds, then switch legs. This stretch promotes improved mobility in the hip and knee joints.
• Hamstring Stretch. Sit on the edge of a chair or bench, extending one leg straight in front of you with the heel on the floor. Lean forward from the hips while keeping your back honestly until you feel a stretch in your thigh. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then switch legs.
• Calf Stretch. Face a wall and touch it for support. Step back with one foot, keeping it flat on the ground, and bend the front knee while keeping the back leg straight. Lean towards the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf muscle of the back leg. Hold for 20-30 seconds, then repeat with the other leg.
• Hip Rotations. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Slowly lower your knees to the side, trying to touch the base. Keep your shoulders on the ground. Hold the position for a few seconds, return to the starting position, and repeat on the other side. This exercise uses stretching to increase flexibility.
• Ankle Circles. Sit on a chair with both feet planted on the floor. Lift one foot and rotate the ankle in circular motions, clockwise and counterclockwise. Perform several repetitions and switch to the other foot. Ankle circles help enhance ankle mobility. 

What to Consider Before ROM Exercising?

There are some things you need to take into account before implementing these exercises to do everything rightly:

1. Medical conditions. You should consult your healthcare provider if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. Consider joint disease, arthritis, or musculoskeletal injuries before starting ROM exercises.
2. Pain or discomfort. Pay attention to pain or discomfort during certain movements or activities. It is important to determine the cause before continuing with the exercises. Pain can be a sign of an underlying problem or injury. Exercising without knowing the cause can make the problem worse. 
3. Range limitations. Understand your current flexibility range limitations in specific joints or muscle groups. Knowing your baseline flexibility can help you set realistic goals. Then you can check your progress exercises for range of motion.
4. Proper technique. It’s important to learn and use proper techniques when performing ROM exercises. Consider working with a certified professional chiropractor.
5. Gradual progression. Start with gentle movements and increase the intensity. Over time, your body will adapt and become more flexible.
6. Individual limitations. Each person’s body is unique, and the rate of progress can vary. Be patient with yourself and listen to your body’s signals. 
7. Safety precautions. Ensure you have a safe environment for ROM exercises. Use proper equipment, such as supportive footwear and exercise mats, if necessary. 

Always consult a professional chiropractor or certified fitness expert. Talk to a professional if you have any concerns or specific questions. Do not delay your visit if you have health problems or are just starting to exercise. Specialists can provide you with advice and guidance based on your individual needs.