It’s neither too early nor too late to focus on Spring—a hallmark of fresh starts and new beginnings. Many of us “spring clean” our homes in order to clear out the old, outdated items and prepare for a lighter, cleaner environment. As the weather changes, we often get outside more or begin exercise programs to improve the appearance of our bodies for summer wardrobes.

Spring is an excellent time to take inventory of how our bodies “feel” and address pain or physical limitations that stunt our freedom of movement. Clients regularly tell me that they have had pain or stiffness for years, and believe that they have to live with it but most of the time this is NOT the case. Even long-term, stubborn pain or restricted mobility can be greatly improved with simple, conservative measures.

The first step is weighing the pros and cons of maintaining the status quo vs. seeking change.  This is a personal decision and change never seems to come easily for any of us. However, low grade, constant pain will eventually wear you down, physically and emotionally; the stress and inflammation linked to chronic pain may even lead to serious health crises down the road. Stiffness and restricted mobility will not spontaneously resolve either. Old sprains and strains tend to leave behind a residual stiffness that is barely noticeable at first, but “suddenly” appears when lifting a heavy object or trying a new activity. The stiffer we feel the less we move, and the less we move the stiffer we become over time. This cycle perpetuates itself unless we find the way to break out of it. The truth of the matter is that some focused bodywork and easy self-treatment techniques can free movement and alleviate pain quite readily. Once pain and stiffness start to resolve, the body feels lighter and is able to move freely again. Believe it!

The next step involves taking action to make a change. Many viable options exist to deal with pain that do not involve taking pills or undergoing surgery. Talking with a wellness professional is an excellent place to start, as is reaching out to a friend or relative who has dealt with a similar challenge successfully. Figuring out what can work for you takes a bit of exploring, and it is certainly worth the effort. Most people will be happy to share their experiences, their advice or their skills when asked.

Interested in learning more about healthy transformation? Change is a topic on many people’s minds, and this blog post from friend and wellness advocate Sharise Hemby addresses the issue of how to approach change and what steps to take to stop thinking about it and make it happen!