What is mobility and why is it important?

Mobility is one of the most important aspects of physical activity.

It is important to focus on your mobility as a key to maintaining overall health, regardless of your fitness level and goals. Mobility — the ability to move or walk freely and easily — is critical for functioning well and living independently. If you can move your entire body freely and normally, you have optimal range of motion.

Mobility encompasses muscle strength, range of motion and endurance capacity. Mobility is not the same as flexibility.

Poor mobility can lead to a greater risk of injury. It can also affect daily activities such as walking to the mailbox, cleaning, driving and even taking a shower. Muscle weakness, improper alignment and posture, an injury that was not fully rehabilitated can also lead to bad mobility.

You can improve your mobility, but first you need to understand the cause. Physical therapists have the training to find the underlying cause of your decreased mobility and develop a plan to help you reach your goals.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) calls mobility the cornerstone of fitness, which allows the body to move correctly. Without mobility, postural stability becomes compromised and so your body begins to move improperly, increasing your risk of pain and injury.

Once your mobility is to a point where you can’t take care of yourself then you can lose your independence, but you can improve your mobility as you age. Walking improves your mobility and overall health. Light stretching can also help loosen tight muscles that can cause imbalance and restrict mobility.

If your mobility has greatly declined, contact Be Fit PT and Pilates. Be Fit Physical Therapy & Pilates offers an innovative approach to physical therapy and wellness with integrating sessions that treat the whole person from the hands-on approach of skilled therapists.

Be Fit Physical Therapy & Pilates: 4934 Main St. Downers Grove, IL 60515, 630.964.4008, www.befitpt.com