What Causes Limited Range of Motion in the Body?
Having a limited range of motion can cause pain in the body when you move. The term range of motion includes both the distance a joint can move as well as the direction it can move in. Joint range of motion can decrease with age but can also be brought on by several different conditions.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve and maintain flexibility in your joints through exercise and various methods. If you’re unable to complete an exercise on your own, then you can enlist a physical therapist to assist. Keeping proper form is key to avoiding injuries as well as consulting with your doctor before performing these exercises for the first time.
What Does Limited Range of Motion Mean?
Limited range of motion is when a joint does not move completely or correctly as it once did. Motion can be limited due to swollen tissue surrounding the joint, stiff ligaments, spastic muscles, etc. Limited range of motion (ROM) can be an indicator of an injury or condition that needs treatment, so it is important to contact your health provider immediately.
What Causes Limited Range of Motion?
There are several different factors that can cause limited range of motion within the body. Some of these causes include wearing tight clothing, tissue swelling around the joint, having an underlying condition, and leaning too much to one side, causing it to get stiff. Sitting most of the day, especially hunched or slouched over, can cause joint deterioration, arthritis, and stiffness.
Other causes that can limit your joint's range of motion include:
- Tendinitis: inflammation of tendons that support joints
- Bone fractures: these include fractured or broken wrists or knees
- Joint dislocations: such as dislocated shoulder
- Cerebral palsy: a condition that affects movement and muscle control
How Can You Treat Limited Range of Motion?
There are ways to decrease the symptoms once you know what causes limited range of motion for you. You can treat limited range of motion in a variety of ways to improve your quality of life. Incorporating exercise, making sure to move often, and stretching are all ways of how you can improve joint health.
Other ways to treat limited range of motion include:
Stretch
Dynamic and static are two types of stretches you can do to increase mobility and flexibility. Dynamic is an active type of stretching where you move within your limits. Examples of dynamic stretching include side stretches and arm and head circles. Static stretching is where you hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds and is best done after a workout so your muscles are already primed.
Improve Your Posture
Correcting your posture is fairly simple to do and can make a huge difference. It is especially important to improve posture as you age to avoid further injuries and keep unnecessary stress off your spine and joints. To help your posture, sit properly with your back and shoulders straight and your feet on the ground with knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
Zero Gravity Recliner
A zero gravity recliner with the massage feature can provide relief for stiffness and pain in your joints. It also comes with lumbar support to help align your spine and improve posture. The heat therapy and massage options provide comfort and can help you relax and loosen your muscles.
How is Range of Motion Measured?
Range of motion is measured with a device called a goniometer. It has two arms that measure angles and is handheld. A physical therapist will line up the arms of the device with a certain joint so they can get an accurate measurement of how much you can move that joint.
What are the Three Types of ROM?
There are three different types of ROM that are measured during a physical therapy evaluation. These three types are passive ROM (PROM), active-assistive ROM (AAROM), and active ROM (AROM).
Passive ROM
Passive ROM is when a person or machine manually moves your body because you are unable to use your muscles to move the joint. One common reason why you might need passive ROM is due to replacement surgery, such as a hip or knee. While you may not be able to move your muscles around the surgical area, your physical therapist can do it for you.
Active-Assistive ROM
Active-assistive ROM is usually needed after an injury or surgery that is partially healed but still needs to be protected. Wrist surgery is an example of AAROM, where you can move your wrist, but someone else may need to help you in order to reduce the amount of stress on it. Like passive ROM, active-assistive ROM can come from another person, machine, or other device.
Active ROM
Active ROM is typically used after an injury or surgery once you are able to move on your own with little or no protection required. Active range of motion usually includes strengthening exercises and measures your ability to perform them on your own. Unlike the other types of ROM, this one does not need a person or machine for assistance.
Knowing What Causes Limited Range of Motion
Usually an injury or surgery is the main cause of limited range of motion in the body, though other factors can include age and pre-existing conditions. Knowing which type of ROM you have can help you treat it faster and can help offer solutions on how to treat it. The important factor is to keep your body moving as much as possible, especially if you have a stationary job where you mostly sit.
Disclaimer: This content is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional when considering implementing changes to your health or workout routines to ensure it’s compatible with your needs.
