Improve Your Overall Health with These 5 Stretching Benefits

Improve Your Overall Health with These 5 Stretching Benefits

Do your joints and muscles frequently feel stiff and achy, especially after a long day at work or a tough workout? Are you exercising regularly but not seeing the improvements you want? If you’re not regularly stretching, this could explain why!

It is a myth that only competitive athletes or runners need to stretch. In fact, regardless of your activity level, we all need to stretch to protect our mobility and independence. Stretching has many health benefits, and your team at Bay State Physical Therapy is here to help!

5 Evidence-Backed Benefits of Stretching

Research shows that stretching improves your health in several ways. Here are five reasons to add it to your weekly exercise routine:

  1. Reduces muscle tension. Chronically tense and tight muscles have restricted blood flow and may not activate as effectively. Stretching (especially with tools such as foam rollers) alleviates this tension and helps muscles contract more efficiently—then relax more fully.
  2. Increases the range of motion in your joints. Joints that move better work better! Stretching helps your joints move fluidly and throughout their full range of motion. This improves movement efficiency and function, which means better performance.
  3. May reduce your risk of injury. Stretching prepares your body for exertion, improves posture, helps correct muscle-length imbalances, and maximizes flexibility in the hips, shoulders, and ankles—all of which are essential for improved injury prevention and spinal health.
  4. Improves circulation. In addition to improving muscle mechanics, enhanced circulation can accelerate your recovery, reduce post-workout soreness, and increase your energy levels.
  5. Helps ease stress. There’s a strong link between physical tension and mental tension. By alleviating physical tension with a consistent mobility routine, you can ease psychological stress, too. Plus, evidence shows that stretching before a workout improves your “psychological readiness” and helps you get your head in the game.

3 Tips to Improve Your Stretching

Not all stretching is created equal. Here are three tips to ensure you’re stretching the right way:

Don’t Stretch Cold

While it may reduce the risk of injury, it may cause tissue damage without a proper warm-up. Warming up ensures your tissues are warm enough and pliable enough to withstand stretching demands. Before any session, try a simple 5-minute routine such as light jogging or cycling that gets your heart rate slightly elevated, your limbs moving, and your blood flowing.

Try Dynamic Stretches

Dynamic stretching uses gentle and controlled movements of multiple muscle groups o gradually increase your range of motion with each successive repetition. For example, when doing arm circles, the arms are held in a straight position, and the circumference of the range of motion in the shoulders gradually expands with each circle.

Know Your Body

Understand your body and your particular needs. Everyone has different mobility and limitations. And, if pain or injury strikes, don’t ignore it!

Need Help Reaching Your Health Goals?

Living an active lifestyle is one way to stay healthy. If you are unable to be as active as you would like, don’t ignore your pain. Physical therapists can help to identify the root cause of your pain and develop a program to help you return to the activities you love most. Call your nearest Bay State Physical Therapy clinic today to request an evaluation, or complete the form below!

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