Why Stretching is So Important

 

Why Stretching is So Important


I have many patients who come to see me for pain in their bodies, namely back, neck and shoulder pain, along with headaches. Some patients tell me they stretch, but when I ask “how long” it usually is just for one to two minutes a day, or not at all.

True, something is better than nothing, but since the body stiffens as we mature, it’s even more important to stretch regularly and for a little bit longer to maintain flexibility. Like a rubber band, your muscles can stiffen, if they are not used. That’s how you can pull a muscle, or G-d forbid tear one, which really is a drag. ☹

**I usually recommend at least 10 minutes when you first wake up. That ensures you get it in and is a nice way to start your day. 😊

The Benefits of Stretching[1]:

1.Reduces your risk for injury (especially when you are training hard)

2.Improves performance (especially if you want to lift heavier or shave a few seconds off your race time)

3.Helps the joints move through their full range of motion

4.Enables the muscles to work most effectively

“Thank you, Dr. Gold. My back feels so much better. Now I don’t need to do all my PT exercises as I did many of them in your yoga class.” YMCA yoga student

Make stretching part of your day, where it takes up NO EXTRA TIME. You can “fit it in” throughout your day (while you’re on the phone or taking a break from the computer), and at the end of your day for another few minutes while you are getting ready for bed.

It’s always a good idea to stretch warm muscles.

Check out my YouTube video for some simple stretches. https://youtu.be/SERkqu8FrFA

 


[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931

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