I've heard of mobility, but what does it actually mean?
The term mobility is so overused. Every flowy-looking exercise is labeled as a mobility exercise, but what does the term actually mean? How do we create REAL mobility? Take a look inside our Boston Physical Therapists mind and tell you what we think it means;
What is mobility?
Mobility is the amount of range of motion you have, that you actually own.
Commonly, flexibility and mobility are used as synonymous words but this is not the case.
Flexibility is the amount of passive range of motion the joint has. Passive meaning how much range of motion you can force the joint into a range of motion using a partner or another object.
Mobility is the amount of that passive range of motion you can actively move yourself into and control.
Make sense?
Performance Therapy session building shoulder mobility
Why is mobility important?
Now that we've got a bit of an understanding of the difference between flexibility and mobility - we can fully understand how important mobility is.
Being flexible isn't a sign of healthy joints
The range of motion between your mobility and flexibility is what I like to call 'useless range of motion'. Might be a little harsh, BUT, if there's a huge gap between the two you don't own that passive range and are putting yourself at a huge risk for injury. You might be able to bend yourself into a pretzel, but if you can't get there on your own you're more than likely going to get hurt. Want to build some range of motion? Take our FREE 60 minute runners mobility class and find out how
How We Create Mobility
So just being bendy doesn't coincide with joint health - what do we do?
CONTROLLING all of your positions in each joint leads to joint health. This is where the world of Functional Range Conditioning comes into play. More on all the whole FRC later.
Exercises like controlled articular rotations (CARs) help work the full range of motion of each joint. Most importantly, working joints individually. Then, using PAILs (progressive angular isometric loading) and RAILs (regressive angular isometric loading) we can put our joints in their passive end range of motion, and work the hell out of them isometrically. Mobility comes from working both sides of the joint. Isometrically.
Trust me, this is strength training. Mobility strength training
HOW TO WORK ON YOUR MOBILITY
Are you in Boston? You're in luck! All of our Physical Therapists and Sports Massage Therapists preach this same framework and emphasize mobility on a regular. Sound like something you need? Let's work together.
Mobility work can come in two ways:
1. Mobility Strength Training
2. A Kinstretch Body Practice
Want to learn more? FREE Kinstretch class, on us.
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Get a taste of what mobility means to me with a 5 minute, 'big rocks' mobility routine
I do this basically every day. Happy to talk about it, as well! Book a phone call with me, and we can discuss!
Do your mobility!
