I’ve become a big fan of body maintenance.  I truly believe that we need to constantly nurture and care for our bodies in order for them to function and operate at an optimal level.  The body is capable of many things, but even if its just our daily activities that we need to stay healthy for, then it’s worth it.  I always say:

You don’t know what your health is worth, until it’s gone. 

How true is this?!  We don’t realize how much we undervalue a fully functioning body until something breaks down.  If you hurt your back and can’t walk properly, can’t get dressed or have a shower properly, can’t pick up your kids…. how  much is this worth to you?  If you could prevent this from happening, wouldn’t you ?  

I have a few niggles that reappear every now and again, and when I can’t get them under control, I seek assistance from a trusted physiotherapist.  But before I book an appointment, I ask myself: 

Have I been doing my homework ? 

Quite often the answer is no… and this is why my symptoms reappear.  What I’ve come to realize is that when people (myself included) don’t feel pain, swelling, stiffness, or any other symptom, they won’t keep up with their maintenance work.  We think “I don’t feel anything, therefore I’m cured!”.  And it’s easy to understand why.  If we aren’t experiencing symptoms, we can easily forget what issues we have going on.  On the other hand, if we have a sore knee, we will feel it daily and it will constantly remind us that something is not right… and that we have homework to do.  

What is body maintenance?

Our bodies need upkeep, just like a house, a garden, or a car.  We are constantly moving and growing therefore we need time to rest and recover.  Maintenance can include going for daily walks to keep the joints mobile, going to the gym to keep fit, stretching in front of the TV every night, or strengthening the rotator cuff muscles twice a day.  Maintenance can come in various forms and is different for everyone depending on age, fitness levels, and overall condition.   My maintenance routine will be different than yours, and yours will be different than the next person’s.   Here is a photo of my “maintenance” buddies, the tools I use for my mobility and stability training that I’ve implemented 3-4 days a week. 

Going back to a previous post, we need to remember that:

The site of pain may not be the source of pain.   

With me, for example, I get right knee pain when I have increased my activity levels and have neglected my mobility and stability training.   Even though my symptoms are in my knee, they are caused by poor biomechanics through my hips and thoracic spine (mid-back).  As soon as I do my maintenance work, I notice relief from my knee pain within a couple of days.  And when I have been consistent with my “homework”, my symptoms are less and less.  I’ve been pain free for nearly 3 months now, and I’ve been as active as ever.  I feel stronger in all parts of my training, and I’ve been running more frequently with the seasonal change into spring.   I’m confident to say that maintenance, or “homework”, for your body is the key to success.  

Maintaining your body is like maintaining your car.  

Even if no issues are currently present, you should still go and have a check-up every 15,000km – or every 6 months.  It’s best to catch something before it becomes something.    We all know the feeling we get when the mechanic warns us that we should have something fixed or replaced, but we choose not to address the issue until we are broken down on the highway.  Don’t be that person!