Feeling a little...well, un-hip? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us. But just like that perfect golf swing or a speedy run, healthy hips are key to keeping you moving with ease.
Think of your hips as the bridge between your upper and lower body. They're amazing joints, with over 33 muscles working together to help you sit, stand, walk, run – basically everything you do every day! No wonder athletes rely on strong, healthy hips to perform their best.
But often, we neglect our hips until ouch! Pain strikes. The good news? Most hip pain can be avoided, no matter your age. Whether you're rocking your 20s or living your best life in your 70s, here are 4 simple ways to keep your hips happy and moving:
1. Ditch the Extra Weight: Those extra pounds put a lot of stress on your hips, especially if you have arthritis. The CDC says 70% of adults are overweight or obese. Crazy, right? But here's the good news: losing just 1 pound can take away 6 pounds of pressure off your hips!
2. Get Moving!: Your hips were made to move, so keep them active! Even small bursts of exercise can make a big difference. Walking, swimming, anything to keep those muscles strong and flexible.
3. Build a Strong Foundation: Strong glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles are your hip's best friends. Exercises like lunges, deadlifts, clamshells, planks, and bridges will keep them happy.
4. Stretch it Out!: Sitting all day can tighten those hip flexors. Yikes! Make stretching your hip flexors, quads, and psoas muscle a daily habit. There are tons of easy stretches you can do anywhere, like the kneeling hip flexor stretch or the supine stretch.
Ready to keep your hips movin' and groovin'? We can help! Our team of experts at Altair Integrative Wellness is passionate about helping you achieve optimal health, from the ground up. Give us a call at 907-357-1818 and let's chat about how we can help you stay hip at every age!