$99 New Patient Special - Book Now!

213 E Butler Rd Ste D-2

Mauldin, SC 29662

Phone Number

(864) 329-1515

Book Appointment
Follow Us:
(864) 329-1515

Share this episode:

all episodes

The Benefits of Movement Throughout the Day

  • July 30, 2026

Episode Notes:

In this episode, Dr. Matt Eiken of The Mauldin Clinic in Mauldin, South Carolina breaks down why daily movement is one of the most powerful tools for reducing pain and improving overall health.

If you’ve ever dealt with neck pain, low back pain, or stiff shoulders, you may be surprised to learn how closely those issues are tied to how much—or how little—you move throughout your day.

Dr. Eiken shares practical insights from his clinical experience to help you understand why consistent movement matters and what you can do to make it a natural part of your routine.

Hey there, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Matt Eiken from The Mauldin Clinic here in Mauldin, South Carolina, and today we’re talking about something that I think is going to hit really close to home for a lot of you. We’re talking about movement — specifically, why moving throughout your day matters so much more than most people realize.

Now, here’s what I hear constantly in my office. People come in with neck pain, low back pain, stiff shoulders — and when I ask them about their day, almost every single time, the answer is the same. They sit. A lot. At a desk, in a car, on a couch. And look, I get it. That’s just the reality of modern life for most of us. But here’s the thing — our bodies were not designed to stay still for hours at a time. And when we do, things start to break down in ways that are subtle at first… and then not so subtle.

Let me break this down for you. When you sit for long periods, the muscles that support your spine start to fatigue and tighten up. Your hip flexors shorten. Your glutes kind of just… switch off. The discs in your spine rely on movement to stay hydrated and healthy — they don’t have a direct blood supply the way your muscles do, so they depend on the pressure changes that happen when you move. When you stop moving, those discs stop getting the nutrition they need. Over time, that adds up.

And it’s not just your back. Prolonged sitting affects your posture, your circulation, your energy levels — even your mood. There’s a reason you feel sluggish after a long afternoon at a desk. Your body is basically sending you a signal. It’s saying, hey, I need to move.

Here’s what’s interesting though — you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to make a real difference. Small, consistent movement breaks throughout the day can genuinely change how you feel. And this is one of the most practical pieces of advice I give my patients.

So here’s what I want you to start doing. Set a reminder on your phone every forty-five minutes to an hour. When it goes off, just stand up. Walk to the kitchen, walk down the hall, do a few gentle shoulder rolls, maybe a slow neck stretch side to side. Just two or three minutes of movement can reset your posture, get some blood flowing, and take pressure off those spinal joints that have been loaded in one position for too long.

Another thing that works really well is what I call movement stacking. Instead of finding one big block of time to exercise — which most of us struggle to do consistently — you just attach small movements to things you’re already doing. Walk while you’re on a phone call. Do a few calf raises while you’re waiting for your coffee to brew. Take the stairs when you can. These little moments add up throughout the day in a way that’s sustainable and honestly kind of enjoyable once you get into the habit.

Now, when should you come see me? If you’re already dealing with pain — whether it’s in your neck, your back, your hips — movement is still important, but you want to make sure you’re moving in a way that’s actually helping and not making things worse. That’s where a professional evaluation comes in. Sometimes what feels like general stiffness is actually a joint that’s not moving the way it should, and that’s exactly what chiropractic care is designed to address. We can help restore proper motion, reduce irritation, and get you to a place where movement feels good again rather than something you dread.

You don’t have to be in severe pain to come in either. A lot of my patients come in feeling just kind of… off. Tight, achy, low energy. And a big part of what we do is help them understand what their body needs and build habits that support long-term health.

Alright, I want to thank you so much for listening today. If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to reach out to us at The Mauldin Clinic. We are right here in Mauldin, South Carolina, and we would love to be part of your health journey. Give us a call, stop by, or check us out online. Take care of yourself, keep moving, and I’ll talk to you next time.