You would have been told once or twice that you need to stretch, but do you know why?
We all need to stretch to protect our mobility and independence. Stretching keeps the muscles strong, healthy and flexible, which we all need to maintain a strong range of motion.
If we don’t stretch enough, the muscles become short and tight. When this occurs, muscles become weak and unable to extend into their full range, which puts us at risk of joint pain, strains and muscle damage. Injured muscles may not be strong enough to support the joints, which can lead to joint injury.
Benefits of stretching:
- Increase flexibility
- Increase range of motion
- Improves performance in physical activities
- Increases blood flow to the muscles
- Improves posture
- Promotes prevention of back pain
- Great for stress release
- Decreases likelihood of tension headaches
If you are new to a stretching routine, take it slow, learn the proper techniques; otherwise, you may risk getting injured. It is best to stretch 3- 4 times a week for 5 – 10 minutes, 30 seconds per stretch, and don’t bounce! Your therapist will be able to develop a suitable stretching program for you and your injuries.
To book an appointment to develop a stretching program, call our friendly team on 9578 6588 or click the button below!
Article by Lauren Marshall – Remedial Massage Therapist & Pilates Instructor
