Many people think that stretching is something that only athletes, gymnasts, or yogis should be doing every day. Believe it or not, everyone should be stretching on the daily regardless of your age, career, or physical condition. Stretching is not only good for enhancing and maintaining your physical fitness, but also for your general health
Why is daily stretching important?
In order to keep your muscles healthy and strong, you need to set aside some time each day to get your stretch on. Even just ten minutes in the morning can make a world of difference. The more flexible you become, the stronger your body will feel! You may be wondering what the downside of a lack of flexibility may mean. When your muscles are tight, your body is unable to stretch all throughout a full range of motion. The dangers that come with this physical limitation include a higher risk for structural damage, joint pain, and muscle strains. Did you know that even a low level of inflammation can lead to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and in some rare cases, cancer? With that being said, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re stretching daily!
Bye, bye, back pain!
Whether you have back pain now or you want to prevent yourself from getting it in the future, stretching your muscles regularly is key. Many people think they are not at risk for back pain if they are not doing heavy lifting, but that’s not true! Sitting in a chair all day can also cause serious back pain if you are not stretching
Wind down and relax.
Nothing compares to that feeling when you wake up in the morning and stretch in bed. Don’t you wish you could feel it more often? Well you actually can if you make it a point to stretch during your daily routine. Not only does it feel great on your body, but it can also relax your mind. If you close your eyes and breathe deeply while imagining your stress disappearing, you will fall deeper into your stretch. Talk about winding down!
Prevent yourself from injuries.
You’ll never regret being proactive, and that’s especially true when it comes to stretching! If you know you’re about to be physically active, you should absolutely allot yourself some time to stretch your body. Athletes always make it a point to do this before playing sports. This is because the risk of injury is much higher if they do not. With that being said, always set aside at least ten minutes to warm up before participating in any physical activity
How to properly stretch
Not sure where which stretches are the best for you? Don’t worry, our team of professional physical therapists at AccuCare Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine have three easy stretches that you can try at home!
Seated stretch. We all have a chair at home. Instead of just sitting in it on the computer, sit in it and stretch! Sit in the chair with both legs in front of you. Slowly reach down and hold your ankles. Now continue to lean forward and bring your face down to your knees. Now hold for 30 seconds!
Quad stretch. Grab that chair for support if you need it, because you’re going to be standing on one leg while holding your other. Simply lift your foot behind you and hold onto your ankle. Hold for 30 seconds and don’t forget to switch legs for an even stretch.
Forward lunge. Get down on one knee and place your other leg forward. Slowly lean into your stretch for about 30 seconds and you will surely feel this one in your thighs.
Stretching your body is essential for a healthy body and mind. Are you not sure which stretches would benefit your body the most? Don’t worry, that’s where we come in. Our team of physical therapists and trainers will make sure you are stretching your body the right way. Just schedule an appointment with us today by giving us a call at 732-785-5500.