Why Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) Are for Everyone—From Athletes to Armchair Enthusiasts
Let’s face it: our joints are like the hinges of a well-loved door. They work silently in the background, but when they start squeaking, you notice. That’s where Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) come in. These slow, deliberate movements take your joints on a full tour of their range of motion, like a mini vacation—except instead of lounging by a pool, your joints are sweating it out at a mobility boot camp.
And here’s the thing: whether you’re chasing gold medals or chasing grandkids, CARs have a place in your life.
CARs: The Great Equalizer
CARs are not just for elite athletes looking to shave milliseconds off their times or retirees wanting to keep up with their weekly pickleball matches. They’re for everyone. That means you, whether you’re doing sprints, spinning yarns, or just trying to make it through a Netflix binge without groaning when you stand up.
For Athletes:
CARs help athletes get more out of their bodies. By improving the brain’s control over end-range joint motion, these exercises build joint strength and durability. Think of it as adding premium shocks to your sports car—you’ll handle the twists and turns better, with less wear and tear.
Video by Basis Health & Performance
Explore a full walkthrough and detailed explanation of the CARs (Controlled Articular Rotations) morning routine. This video provides step-by-step guidance to improve joint health, mobility, and body awareness, setting the tone for a productive day.
For Office Workers:
Spent all day at a desk? Your joints are probably wondering if they’ve been ghosted. CARs reintroduce movement to joints stiff from hours of sitting, restoring circulation and mobility. Plus, they’re subtle enough that you can sneak in a few reps at your desk without HR thinking you’ve lost it.
For Retirees:
Retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about doing what you love without being slowed down by joint aches. CARs can help you maintain the mobility and strength to garden, golf, or bust a move at your grandkid’s wedding. Think of it as joint insurance for the life you want to live.
Video by Nicole Sciacca
This routine guides 10 joints, head to toe, through their safest, pain-free range of motion (ROM). Using gentle tension (10-30% effort), it assesses and improves joint health. Practice daily to enhance fluidity, ease, and awareness of your body's movement patterns.
Why CARs Are Like Flossing for Your Joints
Sure, you might not see the point at first, but skip them for a while, and you’ll notice. CARs help maintain joint health the same way flossing helps your teeth: by preventing the small problems that can snowball into bigger ones later.
A Personal Note
I started doing CARs regularly to manage subtle nerve and muscle pain that creeps in after poor sleep or long travel days. It’s like giving my body a little tune-up. One session of CARs, and my joints are ready to say, “Ahh, much better.”
A Little Fun to Keep You Going
Think of CARs as a daily negotiation with your joints: “Alright, shoulders, you can creak a little, but only if you promise to stop after this rotation.” It’s a small time investment, and the payoff is huge—mobility for life, less pain, and more freedom to do the things you love.
So whether you’re training for the Olympics or just trying to keep up with life, give CARs a whirl—literally. Your joints will thank you (and maybe even stop squeaking).
