Age, hormonal changes, exercise routine, and other lifestyle factors can take a toll on the body, leading to stiff joints and aching muscles. But you don't need to spend hours stretching out to work out how to loosen stiff joints, a simple 10-minute routine will do.
Stretching and mobility exercises can help alleviate the discomfort - but if it's not done correctly or frequently enough, stiff joints can put us at risk of injury down the line, says Laura Wilson, physiotherapist and founder of The Swiss Touch. "Stiffness reduces the joint's range of motion and is accompanied by pain, limiting activities and creating a cycle of inactivity and worsening stiffness. To compensate for restricted movement, the body also often adopts unnatural patterns, placing added strain on other joints and muscles and increasing the risk of secondary issues."
