I’ve written a lot on My Life Detour about the many incredible benefits of regular movement for both our mind and body. It’s been my saviour in so many ways in so many situations. Being totally honest, I’m really not sure where I would be without running. But there’s no hiding the fact that no matter how active I want to be, my body’s tolerances are changing as my 40s progress. While I love and need to run, it’s tough on joints. My hips and knees don’t love logging miles in the same way as I love the natural high. Also, at a time in life when weights are the holy grail of wellbeing, a visit to the gym can be a bit like Russian roulette. What’s going to give this time?! But I’m absolutely not even contemplating stopping! After all, fitness is for life, isn’t it? So I’ve had to find a solution for the aches and pains and, you’ll be pleased to know, I’ve succeeded. But first, I thought I’d share with you the reasons why we’re tweaking muscles and enduring sore hips, and the like, in a way we didn’t before. It’s not imaginary!

If you, like me, feel you are on a constant carousel of sore knees, sore back, sore hips and pulled muscles, there’s a reason for it. Hormonal changes, as is the case with most midlife related complaints, are among the main causes. Declining oestrogen levels can affect our muscles and bones and potentially cause joint pain and stiffness. Unbeknown to me, this hormone has a large part to play in joint health because it reduces inflammation which can be the root cause of joint pain and stiffness. So, as oestrogen levels decrease, from mid- forties onwards, symptoms often include increased joint and lower back pain. It’s basically a time in our lives when we’d all love to have our own physio on call 24/7. If only! But, actually, I’ve found the next best thing. (Which actually works particularly well when you remember to warm up pre-exercise, which I never used to do. I mean, I still don’t feel I have the time for it, but it’s proven pretty helpful in reducing injuries. As does strengthening your glutes. But that’s another topic for another day!)

My husband gave me the Therabody Wave as a gift years ago. So romantic! At the time, I can honestly say, I really wasn’t fantastically excited by it and I didn’t have much cause to use it. It lay unloved and unused in a cupboard for years. I was in my thirties and pretty much injury free. (Maybe that’s the rose-tinted spectacle version, but I really don’t remember having many, if any, injuries on a recurring basis.) Fast forward to now, and my goodness, I love this thing!

The Therabody Wave basically combines traditional foam rolling with powerful vibration and a cleverly contoured design to seriously effectively target back, neck and muscle pain along the spine and anywhere you require it. Hips, calves, glutes, the lot! It’s essentially a vibrating peanut that somehow manages to loosen off and relieve the deepest of muscle pains in a similar fashion to the best of physios. But at home, in the space of fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the level of muscle pain you are experiencing. It has five different vibration intensity settings and is textured for maximum traction, which makes such a difference when you are trying to reach the deepest of muscle tension. There is no hiding space for any trigger spots when you use this! It also comes with access to an App to help target specific areas, although being honest, I’ve never used is as the Wave is so effective and easy to use on its own.

Having recently experimented with lots of different exercise classes, I’ve learned how best to stretch my back using a Pilates peanut, and this is really a deluxe version of one. You will probably have your own stretching routine, but if not, this is mine. I’ve found for pain and tension in my back, it’s best to start with the wave around the bra-strap area and slowly work it down the length of your spine (as you would with a foam roller). For maximum impact, keep your legs flat to the ground and arms over your head. Work slowly downwards and gently roll slight from side to side in areas of tension. I must warn you this can be VERY  uncomfortable at first, but gradually eases off. You can of course work up to placing your arms above your head, which simply increases the intensity of the stretch and massage through increased pressure. Once you have worked all the way down, as far as you need, start to work your way back towards your bra strap and up towards your neck. Again, slowly rolling from side to side as you progress. Once you reach your neck, gently rest your pressure points at the base of your head / start of your neck on the roller for ultimate relaxation. Once the uncomfortable tension has been released, I like to roll the full length of my back a few times. For sore hips, I simply lean into the roller as hard as I can around the points of tension to help release it.

For someone who is pretty active but can feel a bit rickety at times, the Therabody Wave has come to be an absolute God send for dealing with recurring muscle pain and tension. After using it as I’ve outlined above, the tide of relaxation and release that you’ll experience is truly incredible. And, I’m sure you’ll agree, exercise, and life generally, is far easier when you are tension and pain free! But let’s also not beat around the bush. Exercise and your subsequent fitness are so life enhancing and (hopefully) extending, that they have to be among our non-negotiables in life. So, we really have to find a way of keeping on, keeping on. That’s why the Therabody Wave is your new best friend. It’ll help you stay ahead of tension, stiffness and hormonal aches, so nothing gets in the way of you living your most active, energised life!