The power of MICRO MOVEMENT

Don't settle for sore knees and stiff shoulders - keep your body in motion with these small but mighty moves

- JENNY ROWE

Does your back twinge when you stack the dishwasher? Is there a niggle in your neck when you drive? While these fleeting, minor complaints might not significantly affect your quality of life right now, 'If ignored, they could snowball into a bigger problem,' says Hazel Anderson, women's health specialist at Six Physio Chelsea.

As we age, we become more prone to creaky joints, stubborn injuries and damaging falls - but it doesn't have to be all downhill. Nor does keeping our bodies on track require lots of effort.

Performed within small ranges of motion for short periods of time, micro movements are easy, day-to-day exercises that can mitigate against decreasing strength and mobility. The best bit? You don't have to hit the gym and there's not a sit-up in sight.

USE IT OR LOSE IT

'From our mid-30s we lose muscle mass which supports the bones and good posture - and bone density,' says women's health and fitness trainer Vicki Hill*. 'And this happens much faster once we reach the menopause.' 'At the same time, we are losing collagen, oestrogen and testosterone, so if we don't keep our joints moving, they will ache more, says Vicki. 'The body is also made up of connective tissue called fascia, which needs to move to stay hydrated. When it doesn't, it begins to build up and we become less mobile.

BRING ON THE BENEFITS

Micro movements also help maintain good blood flow. 'The circulation of oxygenated blood allows every organ to function properly,' says Hazel.

MOBILISE IN ONE MINUTE