Do you wake up every morning with stiff joints? As if your body is not quite "on" yet? Then you probably suffer from morning stiffness. This is especially common in people with osteoarthritis or other joint complaints.
With the right light movements, you help your body get going. And the best part is, you can start today right from your bed.
In this blog you will discover:
- Why morning stiffness occurs
- Three easy exercises you can do right away
- How the Motimove app helps you get moving every day
What exactly is morning stiffness?
Morning stiffness is the stiff feeling in your joints right after getting up. Especially your knees, hips, ankles or lower back can feel like they are 'stuck'. The cause? During the night your body moves little. As a result, the joint fluid becomes thicker and your muscles hold a fixed position.
In people with joint complaints, it often takes longer for the body to move smoothly again. And that's exactly when light movement is extremely important. Don't force, but activate.
Exercise 1: Knee rolls from bed
Stay lying on your back, bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the mattress.
Slowly roll your knees from left to right, as if you're moving windshield wipers. Do this gently 10 times back and forth.
Why this works:
✔ Improves mobility of your lower back and hips
✔ Activates your core in a gentle way
In the MotiMove app, you can do this exercise exactly tailored to your situation, with clear explanations and video.
Exercise 2: Ankle circles (for better circulation)
Pull your toes slightly upwards and make circles with your ankles. First 5 times to the right, then 5 times to the left. Then switch feet.
Why this works:
✔ Helps reduce fluid build-up in your feet
✔ Stimulates blood flow in your lower legs
This small movement already makes a difference. In MotiMove you can see your progress, which motivates!
Exercise 3: Seated hip opener
Sit upright on the edge of your bed. Place your feet firmly on the floor.
Bring one knee up to your chest and hold it for 5 seconds.
Release and switch legs. Repeat this 5 times on each side.
Why this works:
✔ Loosens your hip joints
✔ Relieves tension in your lower back
In Motimove you get daily exercises based on your complaints.
Why moving with stiffness helps
Many people think rest is best for pain or stiffness. But that's not always true. Light exercise actually helps keep your joints supple and get pain under control.
Start small. Even with 3 minutes a day, you help your body move forward.
Make it easy on yourself with the Motimove app
The exercises above are simple. But how do you stay motivated?
How do you know what is good for your joints?
That's where MotiMove comes in, the exercise app especially for people with joint pain.
With MotiMove you get:
- Personal exercises tailored to your pain complaints
- Daily tips & facts about pain and exercise
- A handy overview of your progress
- Motivation to keep going, at your own pace
With three simple exercises you get your body moving and immediately feel more flexible. Start today and notice the difference.
And do you really want to see progress? Let Motimove guide you.
Together we move towards less pain, more control and a more supple body.