There are five components of fitness and flexibility is one of them. Sadly, not all of us are that active in exercising due to the high demands of life such as work and family life. Stretching should be an integral part of every workout program. We will show you the reasons why you should take the time to stretch:
Stretching helps relieve post-exercise aches and pains
Stretching your muscles after a workout helps to keep your muscles loose and lessens the shortening and tightening effects that can cause post-workout aches and pains.
Reduces risk for injury and decreases muscle stiffness
A flexible muscle is less likely to become injured if you make sudden movements. Imagine being seated for a long time due to office work and suddenly standing up only to feel a sudden pain in your lower back, but if you stretch even when you’re working, you will not feel those strains at all. Increasing your range of motion in a particular muscle and joint area through stretching will decrease the resistance on your body’s muscles during a variety of activities and also slows down the degeneration of your joints.
Improves mental health and reduces stress
I think all of us are stressed out no matter what kind of stress that would be, we always feel that pressure, and it manifests itself as physical strain and pain. Stretching in areas where you most likely feel those aches can help you experience mental and emotional relief from stress. Aside from that, this is also the reason why yoga is also recommended for stress management- because most of the movements are stretching exercises and poses.
Improves posture
Stretching can improve the muscles in your back and shoulders which in turn improves your posture and reduces those back and neck pains you’ve been feeling. Your physical therapist works on stretching the muscles affecting your spine alignment (includes your lower back, chest, and shoulders).
Increases your stamina
Not only does stretching help in muscle development but it also helps your muscles to stay stronger for longer. When your stamina improves, there is more comfort the moment you need physical exertion as well as giving you long-term stamina by helping you stay stronger with age and be able to withstand the impact of the activity you choose to do. Stretching before a workout can help you power through your workout at a more intense level.
There are plenty of reasons to start stretching and it goes beyond the physical health benefits and athletic pursuits if you’re an athlete. Stretching is an important way to prepare your body for physical activity- this will always be reiterated to our patients because it’s as vital as the main exercises that are prescribed to them, It’s very important to have yourself evaluated by a licensed Physical Therapist first before trying different kinds of stretches to avoid injuries in the long run, they are trained and experienced to help you learn proper ways to stretch. Stretching can also help prevent injuries from developing, especially when done regularly and correctly but it’s very important to know the source of the pain before attempting new stretches.