Hop Into Better Movement This Spring

Spring is here, and with it comes the perfect reminder to get outside, stretch our legs, and embrace movement. But did you know one of nature’s most agile animals – the humble rabbit – has a lot in common with us when it comes to musculoskeletal health?

At IMC, we believe in moving with purpose. Let’s take a fun (and science-backed) look at how rabbits stack up against humans – and what we can learn from them to move better this season.

Reflexes That Hop to It

Rabbits can go from standing still to full speed in just 1 – 2 seconds. That’s faster than most humans – and a good reminder of how important reflexes and response time are to overall mobility and safety.

Fun fact: The world’s fastest human, Usain Bolt, reached a top speed of 27.8 MPH.

Legs Lead the Way

In both rabbits and humans, leg muscles are the largest muscle group. Strong legs are essential for posture, balance, and injury prevention.

More Vertebrae = More Flexibility

Rabbits have 46 vertebrae, while humans have 33 vertebrae. That extra spinal flexibility helps rabbits maneuver quickly, but humans can support spine health too through daily, JointStrong exercises.

Steps Count

Rabbits take an average of over 10,000 steps per day. Humans are recommended to take 10,000 but in practice, we only get 3,000 – 5,000 steps on average per day.

Joint & Bone Breakdown

Adult rabbits have 260 bones. You and I only have 206 bones! Humans lead the race in joints with 360 compared to a rabbit’s ~100 joints.

Despite being smaller, rabbits have more bones due to tail and limb complexity. Meanwhile, humans have more joints, which means greater flexibility – but also greater risk of injury.

You only had more bones than a rabbit when you were a baby – with 270!

Let’s Talk Leaps

Rabbits can jump up to 3 feet high and 10 feet long. Most humans? Just 1.5 feet vertical and 7 – 10 feet in a professional long jump. Strong legs and joints make those jumps possible, just like they help you climb stairs, get out of chairs, and prevent falls.

What MSK Conditions Rabbits and Humans

Both rabbits and humans can suffer from:

• Osteoarthritis (OA)
• Bone spurs
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• Balance issues

And just like us, rabbits need regular movement to keep their joints healthy and pain-free.

What You Can Do This Spring

Let the rabbits inspire your routine. Try these JointStrong tips:

• ✅ Walk more – aim for 10,000 steps
• ✅ Stretch and strengthen your joints
• ✅ Build reflexes and balance through physical therapy-guided exercises
• ✅ Don’t wait until pain hops in – prevent joint pain before it starts with JointStrong

Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or just looking to stay active as the weather warms up, JointStrong is here to help you move with confidence.

Let’s hop into better movement together!

Request an appointment with IMC below. Telehealth is available!