There are over 700 muscles in the human body, all of which have specific jobs and functions. Most of the time we do not consider the effort if takes our bodies to complete tasks on a daily basis. We would not be able to do all that we do without the contraction and extension of various muscle groups. You may have heard that stretching is good for you, but have you ever questioned why?

Stretch! The Benefits for your body

Stretching can help reduce injury. When your muscles are extended or lengthened to prepare for the movement you are about to engage in, this can help to decrease the likeliness of injuring yourself. Stretching also helps to engage your joints into their “full range of motion” and increase blood flowing to the muscles.

Engaging in stretching continuously can also help the efficiency of your muscles as well as improve overall performance. Stretching without a warm up can hinder your performance and increase injury. A short walk or jog around the block is also a good idea.

The DOs and DO NOTs of stretching

• DO not stretch on cold muscles
• DO not stretch while bouncing
• DO make stretching a regular effort
• DO hold your stretches between 30-60 seconds
• DO take your time
• DO not stretch for pain. Stretch to where you begin to feel some resistance and hold it
• DO stretch your major muscle groups

Stretching is and can be individualized

While we all are composed of many muscles, the stretches and the muscles we focus on can vary. Some may want to focus on a certain area while others want an overall stretch.  In addition, athletes benefit from one stretching method known as dynamic stretching, while those over 65 years of age can benefit from static stretching.

Stretching is an important part of exercise and flexibility maintenance. It is also an important piece to our daily lives. Make sure to check with you physical therapist, or doctor if you have any health concerns or need any pointers. If you are looking for a way to engage more in stretching and flexibility, stop in a try one of our classes such as Yoga or Stretch, Strength, and Balance!

References

Mayo Clinic. Stretching: Focus on Flexibility. Retreived from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931

Harvard Medical School. The Importance of Stretching. Retreived from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching

Page, P. Current Concepts in Muscle Stretching for Exercise and Rehabilitation. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3273886/