Find a DoctorSearch the network for suitable specialists and contact them directly
© Elly Fairytale
Flexibility helps prevent injuries and is the foundation for a healthy life.
February 17, 2025
Nils Behrens
- Body
- Health
Nils Behrens: Why flexibility is the key to a healthy life
Nils Behrens is a top expert in the fields of holistic medicine and prevention and the host of the "Healthwise" podcast. His current column for Premium Medical Circle focuses on the topic of mobility: how it improves quality of life and why it is closely linked to longevity.
Mobility matters: In a world where fitness is often equated with muscle building, endurance training, or weight loss, a crucial aspect of health often goes unnoticed: mobility.
Mobility – the ability to move freely and efficiently – forms the basis for everyday movements and an active life. Despite its importance, it is often neglected, which can have significant long-term consequences.
Why mobility is so important
Mobility is more than just a supplement to sports. It helps prevent injuries, improves quality of life, and is crucial for healthy movement mechanics. Without sufficient mobility, muscles and joints stiffen, which can lead to chronic pain, poor posture, and movement restrictions.
Studies show that limited mobility is a major cause of back pain, knee problems, and other degenerative musculoskeletal disorders.
Mobility and a long life
Longevity – the art of leading a long and healthy life – is closely linked to mobility. People with better mobility and muscle strength in old age are less likely to fall and suffer less from age-related diseases.
On the other hand, limited mobility can impair independence and increase the risk of injuries and falls. Maintaining mobility is therefore essential for quality of life and independent living.
Nils Behrens – Chief Brand Officer of Sunday Natural and host of the podcast HEALTHWISE
The role of nutrition
Our diet plays a central role in mobility. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients can significantly improve joint health. Fish, nuts, leafy greens, and berries should therefore be a staple part of the diet.
Spices such as turmeric and ginger, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, can also help increase the elasticity of joints and connective tissues.An often underestimated factor is hydration: Sufficient water intake is essential to ensure the flexibility of muscles and fascia. In contrast, dehydration leads to stiff joints and increases the risk of movement restrictions.
The influence of exercise on mobility
Regular exercise is the key to increased mobility. Sports such as yoga, pilates, or swimming can specifically promote flexibility and range of motion. Functional training, which aims at natural movement patterns, also helps to improve mobility and strengthen the body holistically.
It is important that the training is adapted individually. While younger people benefit from dynamic exercise sessions, gentler approaches may be more effective for older or less active individuals.
© Karolina Grabowska
Regular exercise is the key to increased mobility.
Assisted Stretching: An Innovative Approach
A particularly effective method to improve flexibility is assisted stretching. Here, an experienced trainer or therapist helps to perform the stretching exercises in a targeted and safe manner. This technique offers numerous benefits:
- Improved blood circulation: Guided stretching promotes blood circulation in muscles and joints.
- Pain relief: Tensions and blockages are relieved.
- Individual adaptation: Exercises can be tailored to specific needs.
More and more gyms and specialized centers such as Soulhouse offer assisted stretching – a growing trend that promises great health benefits.
Fazit: Mobilität als Grundlage für Lebensqualität
Beweglichkeit ist kein Luxus, sondern die Basis für ein aktives und gesundes Leben. Durch eine Kombination aus entzündungshemmender Ernährung, gezielten Sportübungen und innovativen Ansätzen wie Assisted Stretching kann jeder von uns seine Mobilität verbessern und langfristig erhalten.
Wer Beweglichkeit als festen Bestandteil seiner Gesundheitsstrategie integriert, legt den Grundstein für ein aktives, energiegeladenes und unabhängiges Leben – heute und in der Zukunft.
Nils Behrens ist der Chief Brand Officer von Sunday Natural und Host des Podcasts HEALTHWISE. Außerdem unterrichtet der gefragte Health-Experte als Dozent an der Hochschule Fresenius. Vorher arbeitete Behrens über 12 Jahre als Chief Marketing Officer der Lanserhof Gruppe und Gastgeber des erfolgreichen „Forever Young“-Podcasts.
Hier finden Sie alle Kolumnen von Nils Behrens.
