When it becomes hard to turn your head, stretch your arms, or bend at the waist without pain or discomfort, it can be incredibly frustrating. A limited range of motion holds you back from living your life the way you want to. Whether you’re trying to get through your workday, keep up with your kids, or recover from a sports injury or auto accident, dealing with a limited range of motion in any part of your body can have a huge negative impact on your quality of life.
At Thrive Chiropractic in Boise, we believe that improving your body’s movement from chronic pain doesn’t have to mean surgery or long-term medication. Chiropractic care, combined with therapies like physical therapy and guided range of motion exercises, can help restore flexibility, reduce pain, and get you back to your daily activities, naturally.
In this blog, we’ll explore what affects your range of motion, the different types of movement (like active, passive, and assistive range of motion), and how chiropractic techniques support your body’s ability to move freely. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want to feel more mobile and energized, you’ll learn practical tools for protecting your joints, muscles, and overall wellness.
Common Causes of Limited Range of Motion
When your body can’t move the way it’s supposed to, everyday tasks like reaching overhead, bending down, or turning your head can become uncomfortable, or even painful. A reduced range of motion can affect many body parts, from your neck and shoulders to your hips, knees, and spine. It’s often a sign that something deeper is going on beneath the surface.
Some of the most common reasons people lose range of motion include:
- Sports injuries, like pulled muscles or joint sprains, which can cause swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement.
- Auto accident injuries, especially whiplash or soft tissue damage, which can limit flexibility and lead to chronic tension or misalignment.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, which affect the joints and make movement painful or difficult.
- Neck pain caused by poor posture, muscle strain, or spinal issues, which can reduce mobility and affect nearby nerves and muscles.
- Scar tissue, inflammation, or tight soft tissue surrounding joints and muscles, which limits the body’s natural stretch and flexibility.
Sometimes the loss of motion happens suddenly, like after an injury. Other times, it develops slowly over time due to inactivity, aging, or repeated stress on certain joints. In either case, restoring movement is key not just for comfort, but for your long-term quality of life.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Improve Range of Motion
At Thrive Chiropractic in Boise, we take a full-body approach to healing. That means we don’t just focus on where it hurts, we look at how your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system are all working together. This is especially important when you’re dealing with limited range of motion.
When the spine is misaligned or joints are under stress, the surrounding muscles and soft tissue can tighten up to protect the area. This limits flexibility and can lead to pain or discomfort during even simple movements. Chiropractic care gently restores alignment through targeted adjustments, which helps reduce inflammation, relieve pressure on nerves, and unlock stiff joints.
But we don’t stop there. At Thrive, chiropractic adjustments are often combined with physical therapy, massage, and other techniques to speed healing and improve long-term results. While our chiropractors work to restore proper alignment, a physical therapist may guide you through gentle stretches and strength-building routines designed to support your body’s mobility.
This combination can be especially effective for people recovering from a sports injury, dealing with auto accident injuries, or managing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. By treating the underlying cause (not just the symptoms) we help patients regain control of their bodies and get back into the daily activities they enjoy.
Types of Range of Motion Exercises That Support Healing
Depending on your condition and treatment plan, your care team may introduce different types of ROM exercises to help improve flexibility and function over time:
- Active range of motion: Movements you perform on your own, without assistance. These exercises help build strength and control.
- Passive range of motion: Movements performed for you by a practitioner, often used when you’re in pain or recovering from injury.
- Assistive range of motion: A combination approach where you begin the movement and receive guided support through the rest of the motion.
These exercises may target specific body parts, like the neck, shoulders, hips, or knees, and are customized based on your individual needs. When done correctly and consistently, they can improve flexibility, reduce pain or discomfort, and even help prevent future injuries.
Of course, this is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Your chiropractor and physical therapist will work together to design a plan that matches your body’s condition, goals, and healing pace – all while offering expert medical advice to keep your progress safe and steady.
Feel Better, Move Freely: Thrive Chiropractic Is Here to Help
Your range of motion matters. Whether you’re dealing with stiffness, recovering from an injury, or you just want to feel more mobile and active, the right care can make a world of difference.
At Thrive Chiropractic in Boise, we’re passionate about helping our community heal naturally – without surgery or invasive treatments. Our personalized care plans combine chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and proven movement-based therapies to help you regain flexibility, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life.
If you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today to schedule your first visit! Let’s work together to help you move better, feel stronger, and thrive again.
