Why Does Range of Motion Matter?
Range of motion is a key factor in maintaining “pain-free” mobility in your life. As part of an experiment, motion between the vertebrae of the upper back and neck in 139 women and 142 men was analyzed. The study found that, “Reduced mobility explained 14% of neck/shoulder pain and 15% of weakness in the hands” (Scandinavian J of Rehabilitative Med 1998; 30: 243-51). Optimal range of motion (ROM) is critical for children as well as adults. In one study, investigators followed 131 pain-free adolescents for 3 years. Decreased ROM boosted the risk of low back pain, especially in girls. Specifically, girls who scored lowest on one low back ROM test were nearly 3 ½ times more likely to develop low back pain, compared to girls with the highest ROM scores (Am J Sports Med 1997; 25: 363-8). Restricted joints are starved of the fluids and nutrients that keep joints healthy – putting them on a collision course with a plethora of agonizing conditions, such as chronic back or neck pain. What’s wor
