Age Is Just a Number
The Truth About Joint Pain & Movement
We've all heard it before: "Stop squatting, you're too old for that," or "Running will ruin your knees after 40." These outdated myths continue to hold people back from living their fullest, most active lives.
The Age Myth Debunked
One of the most pervasive misconceptions is that joint pain is simply the unavoidable result of aging. If this were true, wouldn't both knees hurt equally? Both hips? All your joints?
The reality is far more nuanced. Most joint pain stems from specific patterns of disuse and deconditioning that develop over time and our complex individual relationship with pain. When we move less frequently and less diversely, our bodies lose the ability to properly control movement. This leads to improper loading patterns that stress certain structures while weakening others.
What truly happens as we age is that our movement habits change—often unconsciously. We sit more. We move through fewer planes of motion. We develop compensations and imbalances that place disproportionate stress on specific areas of the body.
These aren't inevitable consequences of aging—they're behavioral patterns that can be identified and addressed with the right approach.
Breaking the Cycle
The good news? Your body responds to the demands you place on it at any age. Research consistently shows that strength, mobility, and function can improve well into your 70s, 80s, and beyond when proper training principles are applied.
If you're feeling stiff, achy, or limited, it's not a signal to stop moving—it's a signal to move differently.
The Path Forward
1. Prioritize Consistent Movement
Your body thrives on regular, varied movement. Walking, strength training, recreational sports, yoga—find activities you enjoy and make them non-negotiable parts of your routine. Remember: what you don't use, you lose.
2. Listen to Your Body (Without Surrendering to It)
Pain is information, not a life sentence. If your knees hurt after walking two miles, don't abandon walking altogether—adjust your approach. Try walking one mile for a week, then gradually build back up. Pay attention to patterns and use them as guides, not restrictions.
3. Adapt, Don't Abandon
"It hurt so I stopped" is rarely the optimal solution. While acute pain may require temporary modification, completely abandoning activities often leads to further deconditioning. This is what we do - we can help you find ways to train around limitations while addressing their root causes.
4. Seek Qualified Guidance
Managing joint pain while maintaining an active lifestyle can be complex. This is where professional guidance becomes invaluable. We can help you understand your specific limitations and develop strategies to overcome them.
The Bottom Line
Age is not what's holding you back—it's how you've been moving (or not moving) over time. Your body has an incredible capacity to adapt and improve at any stage of life when given the right stimuli.
Don't settle for less movement as you age.
Instead, learn to move better, move smarter, and unlock the vibrant, active lifestyle you deserve—whether you're 35, 55, or 85.