Stretching Comes with a Multitude of Benefits – Discover Them Today!
Exercising on a regular basis is a great way to both maintain and improve your health and wellness.
However, if you’re not stretching before and after your workouts, you aren’t taking full advantage of a complete workout routine.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “stretching can increase flexibility and improve your joints’ range of motion, helping you move more freely, and ensuring that you have equal flexibility on both sides might help protect you from injury.”
There are several specific benefits to stretching both before and after a workout. For more information, contact Pelham Physical Medicine to consult with a physical therapist!
How can physical therapy help with stretching?
It’s important to make sure that you’re doing the right kind of stretches both before and after your workout. A physical therapist can design a treatment plan based on your specific exercise and stretching needs.
No matter what types of physical activity that you are engaging in, physical therapy can help you make the most of your activities. Your physical therapist can help guide you on which types of stretches are best suited to your current physical condition, as well as the type of activities you’re participating in.
It’s also important to make sure you do the right exercises in the correct ways. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a qualified physical therapist and learn what stretches are right for you. Physical therapy can help you get the most out of your workouts and improve your overall health!
What types of stretches can I implement into my daily life?
There are several different types of stretches a person can do before and after a workout.
It’s important to know which types are right for you and when you should use them in a workout.
- Ballistic stretching: Ballistic stretching involves bouncing movement to push muscles beyond a normal range of motion.
- Dynamic stretching: These are active movements that are not held but still cause muscles to stretch. These are often done to prepare your muscles for movement.
- Static stretching: This involves holding a particular stretch for 10 to 20 seconds. This type of stretch should feel comfortable and is normally done after a workout.
Why you should stretch after your workouts
You may be tempted to go straight into relaxation mode after a workout. It’s important, however, to get in even a few minutes of stretching.
There are several specific benefits of stretching after you finish your workout.
- Relaxation for both the body and mind. It’s beneficial for both body and mind to gradually slow down. When you stretch after a workout you’re giving yourself the chance to gradually wind-down.
- Pain relief and future injury prevention. Muscles that stay tight after a workout are more prone to injury. PT in Motion states that the right kind of stretching exercises can limit pain throughout the body. Loosening up your muscles will also reduce your chance of injury.
- Lactic acid release. Lactic acid is produced when you work out. This substance can make muscles achy and tired. Stretching can help reduce the amount of lactic acid throughout your body.
Why you should stretch before your workouts
You should always start your workout with a series of stretching exercises. Stretching 5 to 10 minutes is probably enough for most activities.
It’s important, however, to adequately stretch all the muscles you’ll be using.
There are several specific advantages you’ll receive when adequately stretching before your workout.
- Improved flexibility and range of motion. Correct stretching will loosen your muscles and tendons. This will increase flexibility and range of motion during your workout.
- Enhanced blood circulation. The first thing stretching can do is increase your blood flow. Increased blood flow to your muscles prepares them for strenuous activity.
- Improved health and wellness. All of the above; increased blood flow, flexibility, and range of motion, will improve overall performance.
Looking for more assistance? We can help
If you are looking for more ways to add stretching into your daily life, don’t hesitate to contact Pelham Physical Medicine!
Our physical therapists can help you learn which stretches are best for you and how they can benefit you specifically, based on your needs and goals.
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