Keep Flexible & Avoid Injuries with a Stretching Routine
It may not be “sexy” or trendy, but stretching plays a critical role in physical health whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete. It’s also an important part of our job as physical therapists as we guide patients recovering from surgery or an injury through stretches necessary for them to regain full mobility. But you don’t even have to participate in any physical activity (although we highly recommend that you do!) to benefit from stretching.
The benefits of stretching include:
An effective stretching routine is great for everyone. Anyone who spends a lot of time sitting at a computer, whether it’s for work, studying or just catching up on the latest social media news in the evening, knows the feeling of tension and tightness in their neck and shoulders. A relatively small investment in time spent stretching out those overworked muscles pays big dividends!
There are a few general rules of thumb to keep in mind. Stretching cold muscles is not as effective as when they’re warmed-up and may actually increase the risk of injury, so stretch post-exercise for the best results. Don’t bounce into your stretches; a slow, steady stretch is best, whether it’s a static or active exercise. Regardless of age or athletic ability, a regular flexibility class (such as yoga, Pilates or a stretching routine) should be something everyone commits to at least once a week.
Age, fitness level, sport, activity, occupation and gender all play a role in determining which stretches are best for you and all come into play when designing a stretching routine. Although it may seem like an overwhelming number of variables and options to you, we know which ones will work best to enhance your physical fitness and ability to function efficiently.
Still not quite back to full mobility following an injury or surgery? Call us for your complimentary consultation and we’ll get you started on your way to pain-free living!
The Miller PT Team
Where Fitness and Wellness Meet
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