You’ve probably heard it all of your life- daily stretching is important for flexibility. But what if we told you the benefits go FAR beyond your ability to do the splits?
You may think of stretching as something performed only by runners or gymnasts, but we all need to stretch to protect our mobility and independence. Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.
Stretching is not only great for mobility, flexibility, and independence, though. Here are a few more great benefits of stretching:
• Increased blood flow to your muscles.
• Better posture.
• Great for mental health.
• Stress relief.
• Prevention and decrease in back/joint pain.
• Minimizes tension headaches.
• Reduces risk of injury.
• Improves overall function.
• Helps with balance to avoid falls.
In order to see the complete benefit of stretching, it should be a daily activity. Regular stretching keeps muscles long, lean, and flexible, and this means that exertion "won't put too much force on the muscle itself," says David Nolan, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of stretching, or would like help coming up with a stretching routine, reach out to CustomFitt today! www.customfittpt.com www.facebook.com/customfitttexas
