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
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