7 Reasons To Start Stretching Every Day
Stretching before and after a workout or other rigorous physical activity is undoubtedly something you’ve heard about. While this is true, stretching on a daily basis is also useful whether or not you are undertaking any type of physical activity.
Stretching on a daily basis has numerous advantages. Stretching can be made more effective with the help of a physical therapy program that is tailored to your personal needs. Call our office to learn how a physical therapist may help you improve your health and boost your activity level by teaching you how to stretch correctly.
You’ll be less stressed out!
Of all the benefits stretching provides, many people may not realize that it can reduce stress. When you’re stressed and tense, your muscles naturally tighten. Gentle stretching can slowly relieve tension throughout your entire body. Each of us has particular areas we carry a lot of tension. For some people, it’s in the neck area.
For others, it may be in the shoulders or in different areas of the back. A physical therapist can teach you exercises that target the specific area where you have the greatest tension and stress. There are specific types of stretching, such as static stretching, that may be included in your physical therapy routine to reduce stress and anxiety.
Your range of motion will increase.
The range of motion refers to the amount of movement you have around various joints or body regions. The more range of motion you have in your knees, ankles, shoulders, and other joints, the more activities you can accomplish. Athletes, as well as individuals who participate in athletic events for leisure, need to have a good range of motion..
A physical therapist can assess your range of motion throughout your body and prescribe particular exercises to help you move as freely as possible. Dynamic stretching or foam rolling may be part of your physical therapy program to help you expand your range of motion. It’s critical to see a physical therapist to learn how to properly use various types of equipment, such as foam rollers.
Stretching helps to increase blood circulation.
Stretching can help you enhance your circulation, which will help your blood flow. There are numerous advantages to improving overall blood flow. This includes fewer aches and pains from workouts or even simple daily movement. It also involves the ability to supply nutrients more efficiently to organs like the heart, in addition to muscles.
It can even help you get more oxygen. Improved blood flow provides you with more energy throughout the day and may even aid in disease prevention. A physical therapy program can teach you several stretching techniques that will help you boost blood flow more effectively. Heat treatment may also be used by a physical therapist to enhance blood flow while teaching you how to stretch properly.
You’ll be more flexible!
Staying mobile and active for as long as possible necessitates remaining adaptable. If you don’t stretch and stay active on a regular basis, even younger people can lose flexibility. Your muscles become more elastic and move with greater ease and less pain when you stretch regularly. As a result, greater flexibility will not only make it easier to move, but it will also require less energy.
When you make stretching a regular part of your day, you may have more energy and not feel tired so quickly. A physical therapy routine can be a great way to increase your flexibility. A physical therapist can show you how to stretch so you increase your flexibility in a safe and steady manner.
Your sports performance could improve.
You’ll want to ask a physical therapist about stretches and exercises that are geared for the particular sport you participate in. A physical therapy program with stretches to help with the specific movement you make in your sport can improve your athletic performance.
Stretching before participating in athletics can help prepare your muscles and ligaments for strenuous physical activity. Stretching causes your muscles to continually lengthen and then relax again. This prepares your body to more effectively engage in strenuous motions in which muscles are constantly contracting and lengthening.
There’s less of a risk of injury.
You’ll be less likely to get an injury during physical activity if your muscles are properly warmed up. Stretching improves muscle suppleness by increasing flexibility. If you move fast or abruptly shift the direction of movement, they are less vulnerable to harm.
A physical therapy practice might help you heal faster and get back to the things you enjoy if you already have injuries. Physical treatment may also lower the risk of recurrent injuries. Manual massage can be used by a physical therapist to treat present ailments, relieve pain, and strengthen muscles and joints.
You can develop better posture with stretching.
Stretching muscles can help improve posture. Poor posture looks unattractive and may even affect a person’s health. Good posture can reduce back pain and eliminate tension in your neck and shoulders. If you’re sitting and standing correctly, this may even increase lung capacity and improve digestion. Physical therapy can help you improve your posture significantly. A physical therapist can show you new methods to stand, sit, and participate in everyday activities. Specific stretches to strengthen the spine, which can help improve posture, may be included in a physical therapy program.
Call us today to learn more about physical therapy and the benefits of stretching
It’s important to make stretching a regular part of your life. Including physical therapy is a good way to make sure you’re learning how to stretch correctly and safely. Whether you want to improve athletic performance or you want to reduce pain and more easily engage in daily activities, physical therapy can improve your life. Contact our office today to find out how a physical therapist can put together a stretching routine to keep you as flexible and strong as possible.