As you get older you may feel stiffer and wonder why your joints take so long to warm up when you get out of bed, or why they’re fine when working and seize up when you have sat down for a while. Today this is all explained! My journey with painful joints, specifically my knees started when I was around 5 or 6 and I was told it was growing pains. I still had these growing pains when I hit 30! Thankfully, studying shiatsu resolved my lifelong knee, pelvis, neck and back issues; so, what made such a difference? In today’s shiatsu blog: What causes aching joints? explores this.
What causes aching joints?
When you think of a joint what are you thinking about? Most people say bones. It’s a place where 2 or more bones join to create linear movement or articulation (more complex). Most joints are also weight bearing the lower you go in the body the more weight they bear. However, the neck has to hold up the head and that ain’t light!
Joints though are so much more than just bones and this is where the Chinese medicine (TCM) really shone a light on all of what is going on inside a joint and this in turn leads to how to resolve a lot of joint problems.
Whilst I was studying in my 30s, I was at an all-male computer software company and one of my colleagues (who was younger than me) said: Well, I’m getting on now I expect its arthritis…
I spluttered: You’re only 32!!! It is NOT arthritis!
What’s really in a joint?
A working joint comprises of 2 or more bones with cartilage covering the articulating surface; this is what wears down and is called arthritis – inflammation of the joints. This really shouldn’t be happening until you’re very old and the joints are completely worn; so there a lot more going on in a joint than you’re aware of.
Joints also comprise of ligaments, tendons, blood, muscles and fluids. If you take all of these into consideration then there are many areas to be investigated when your joints are aching.
Then there is inflammation – this is anything ending in -itis (medically) and induces heat. However low-level inflammation can be going on in your body and your joints before it gets to the stage of being hot to the touch.
Aching joints that feel cold to the touch
In Chinese medicine so much of our understanding and resolution of health issues comes from knowing the difference between acute inflammation and chronic issues that can lead to this state. When something is hot and swollen it’s obvious what it is but it’s more likely the symptom not the cause. Understanding the root problem that causes this means you can either resolve it when it’s critical or aid you in prevention for your long-term health.
If you wake feeling stiff in the joints you may find you rub them to get the blood flowing or to loosen up. A while later when you’re warmed up and moving around the joints feel better. This is the key! Your joints needed warming up! Your body as you get older does get slower to do things especially on waking but this isn’t necessarily your body’s fault. It’s less about aging and more to do with the inflammatory foods that you eat and the lack of nutrients in your system – this then causes the inflammation or inflammaging as it’s now called. (that’s all for another blog!). People who look after their diet and health normally have better joints and more energy; therein lies the reason.
In TCM terms we have a term Liver Blood. Overnight your blood is cleansed of toxins (if your liver is working optimally – another blog!) it then stores blood in the liver until your body is ready to move in the morning. Your extremities can be left cold and stiff.
Handy tip:
Before getting up rotate your ankles and wrists clockwise and anti-clockwise for a couple of minutes. This tells your body that you need to move and the pooled blood starts to circulate, warming up and lubricating the joints ready for action. You should notice a difference in a couple of weeks.
How to resolve your aching joints
If your joints are continually hot and swollen then you’ve most likely been to see the doctor and you’re receiving medical attention. Even so, you can still look to resolving this condition with an open mind and pursuing holistic options like I’m going to recommend.
For most, the niggling chronic condition of stiff or just tired/achy joints can be resolved at home with understanding and some shiatsu treatments 😊
What your joints need are:
To stretch
This opens the joints when tight muscles are released. This is the #1 cause of joint pain that I see – the joints are tight; this stops fluids which lubricate and blood which nourishes and warms moving freely. A swollen joint is one that is too full in TCM terms and shiatsu can release this condition.
To strengthen
Many times (especially with shoulders) clients express that they hold tension. If they genuinely do then Shiatsu is fantastic at releasing this and enabling shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers to feel human and work well again. The other scenario is that the shoulders are empty. In TCM terms this is when the muscles are weak or exhausted. They’re not tense as in tight more like tense as in brittle; if you push me, I will snap as I am not able to do the job. This is a chronic condition and is resolved with nutrients, energetic strengthening and, where applicable physical strengthening.
To nourish
Firstly – we do not get enough nutrients from food in the current farming situation. If you’re also not eating enough of the foods which have nutrients in (i.e. highly processed diet) that’s even worse. Then to top this you do a lot of exercise and have a lot of stress in your life. People tend to train like athletes but don’t have the nutritious support that athletes get! Exercise, activity, lack of rest and sleep along with increasing stresses all reduce the amount of nutrients available in the body to help promote good health.
Supplements are needed if you have tired aching joints. Magnesium is the #1 for muscles. I sent my Magnesium cream to a friend only the other week who’s become a Gym Bunny and doing really well but said: I’m just aching all the time. I said: You haven’t got enough nutrients to recover from the amount of exercise you are doing. She applied the cream and the aches disappeared within minutes. You. Need. Magnesium!
On a broader note, blood carries nutrients to your joints - the bones and muscles to help them recover. If nutrients are all directed to combatting stress, then you’re limiting your recovery. Sinews like ligaments, tendons and cartilage don’t receive a direct blood supply and so take longer to recover when injured; like 10 times longer!
To be massaged
Muscles need support. Muscles hold your tensions, emotions and traumas. Tight muscles will impact your joint health considerably. Tight muscles are the cause of most aching joints and can even cause stabbing pains. Muscle health is at the centre of long-term joint health.
If you feel a regular massage does wonders for you then great; it’s right for you. However, most people tell me that a few days after a massage they feel like they’re back to square one – if this is you, then you need shiatsu instead.
Shiatsu feels like you’ve had a massage but it’s way more sympathetic to your body. During a shiatsu treatment all limbs, joints and muscles are listened too. This means that instead of a formulaic massage each one is given what it requires. Some are released, some supported and strengthened. Each limb will require something different; no pair of arms or legs compare to one another. Also, the neck, spine and pelvis will all require specific release or support.
Shiatsu works on the soft tissue; when they’re listened to and helped, they relax back to how they should be; this allows your skeleton to align as it should be too. This is completely the opposite methodology to Chiro which cracks your bones to get them back into alignment – to me: this is brutal!
Your body (and mind) go through enough on a daily basis without being beaten up in a treatment. To be treated: should be with compassion and gentleness to nurture your body to feel safe enough to let go and relieve the pains and tensions it is feeling.
Try shiatsu. It’s gentle.
Next steps to resolve your aching joints
Stretching and nutrition are a great place to start but if you’re lost and need support then book a shiatsu with me – this will accelerate your joints to wellness as shiatsu works on the delicate energetics in your body to rebalance you. Life throws all sorts at you and this ends up being held in your body and causing blockages, tightness and pain. Regular shiatsu is preventative and allows you to live your life pain free. Shiatsu is also beneficial if you do have arthritis or an inflammatory condition as it seeks to support and relieve underlying causes even if auto-immune based.
Your mind and body deserve more... You deserve shiatsu...
About Andrea at Shiatsu Bodyworks Cheltenham
Andrea is a qualified zen shiatsu and Chinese medicine practitioner with over 20 years immersed in holistic therapies and the energetics of mind and body. Based in Cheltenham, UK she offers in house clinic and online shiatsu sessions to help people with midlife health issues and also offers online consultations for helping you resolve health issues and regain your vitality. She is a menopause specialist too, find out more at cotswoldmenopause.co.uk
Shiatsu Bodyworks - Gentle body work to make your body work better
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