disuse syndrome

It’s no secret that physical inactivity lays the foundation for chronic conditions and illness. It’s also well-known that many Americans lead a sedentary lifestyle. The problem with going from bed to desk to couch to bed is that, over time, the disuse of the musculoskeletal system affects your blood, oxygen, nutrients, cellular respiration, and nervous system.

What is disuse syndrome?

As the name implies, disuse syndrome describes the results of physical inactivity, which affects many areas of life. The human body was designed for physical activity; however, due to modern technology and convenience, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of moving as little as possible, leading to disuse syndrome.

Disuse Syndrome Causes

There are several common causes of disuse syndrome, including the following:

  • Lack of physical exercise
  • Sedentary jobs
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Extended bed rest due to illness or injury
  • Wearing a cast
  • Joint disease
  • Neuropathic pain

Disuse Syndrome Treatment

Treatment for disuse syndrome involves exercise. When getting started, it can be as simple as taking a walk several times a week. If that seems too overwhelming or you feel that you don’t have time, incorporate movement into routine activities:

  1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator if you’re going up one or two stories
  2. Walk to coworkers’ desks instead of phoning
  3. Take a walk during your lunch break
  4. Walk to nearby places for quick errands (pharmacy, grocery store, dry cleaners, etc.)
  5. Meet up with friends for physical activities, such as bike riding or a walk, instead of dinner or a happy hour
  6. Dance
  7. Stretch
  8. Do push-ups, lunges, and squats during television commercial breaks
  9. Get a dog and take him or her on walks twice a day
  10. Walk around when you’re on the phone

Once you’re used to moving more, look for a physical activity that you’d enjoy since that’s an easy way to sustain exercise long-term. Whether it’s walking, biking, jogging, dancing, cycling, group exercise classes, or weight training… dabble in different things until you find something you can see yourself doing for the foreseeable future.

Keep in mind that weight training not only strengthens your muscles but it promotes bone density as well. As a result, you’ll ease the stress on joints, improve your balance, and decrease the likelihood of falls and injuries.

Request an Appointment at The Orthopedic Clinic Today

At The Orthopedic Clinic, we want you to live your life in full motion. If disuse syndrome is affecting your health, let us help you. We’ll tailor a treatment plan that’s best for your lifestyle and get you back to doing the things you love.

Call us at (386) 255-4596 to schedule an appointment.

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