Top 4 benefits of stretching that you may not know about!

Stretching is always on our to do list but rarely on out accomplished list. A lot of people stretch and hardly pay any attention to it. People stretch throughout the day, either when they first get up in the morning or after sitting in there for some time. They might do some stretches before working out or as part of physical therapy. Stretching often makes us feel better but it might be surprising to discover that it is actually beneficial in helping our bodies function better;

As a person ages, their muscles begin to tighten which is a natural part of the aging process. This can inhibit normal range of motion and cause joint stiffness which makes normal day to day activities more difficult.

What many chiropractic patients may be surprised to learn is that stretching is a great complement to chiropractic care. When combined with simple stretches and low impact exercises, chiropractic patients often find that their injuries heal faster, their pain is reduced, and they simply feel better and more energetic with the addition of stretching. Here are 4 other benefits that adding stretching can do.

Helps keep the spine aligned

Stretching the muscles in your chest, back, and legs helps our bodies maintain correct posture. This can decrease the occurrence of pain and discomfort. When muscles are not stretched, they often draw up in a nonuniform way that can lead to muscle imbalances.

This means that muscles on one side of your spine may draw up more than the muscles on the other side. This can result in your body being pulled to that side, causing your spine to favor that side and not function properly. Stretching prevents this from happening and, when combined with consistent chiropractic care, can ensure good spinal health.

Improves flexibility and range of motion

Most people know, on some level, that stretching improves flexibility and range of motion. However, many do not act on that knowledge and they often wind up at the doctor’s office complaining of back pain, neck pain, or stiffness. Stretching will make you more flexible which, in turn, will make you less prone to injury.

Your muscles will be able to work as effectively and efficiently as possible. Some people take terrible risks when they stretch, thinking that if they force their bodies into certain positions or if they “bounce” to get a deeper stretch then they will be more flexible. That is false, and actually, the reverse is true.. Stretching in an unsafe way such as bouncing or forcing your body far beyond its limits will result in injury including pulled muscles and muscle tearing.

Helps relieve stress and detoxify the body

Stretching causes 2 very significant things to happen. First, your blood flow increases as blood is rushed to the muscles, your organs, and your brain and second, this blood supplies oxygen to these areas. As a result, toxins that have accumulated in your soft tissues are dispelled and our brains and muscles work better due to the increased oxygen levels.

The simple stretching that relieves tension in muscles, combined with the detoxifying effect will help you feel less stressed. Stretching is a great stress management exercise, one you can do just about anywhere. You don’t need any special equipment and you can even do it right at your desk while you are working. A bonus is that you’ll feel the de-stressing effects instantly.

Relieves lower back pain

If you suffer from lower back pain, you might find that stretching is a great pain reliever. Stretching can be a great alternative to opioids and other pain medications that can be addictive and have dangerous side effects.

It relies on the body’s natural ability to heal itself by releasing the tension and easing the stiffness of the muscles in that area. The stiffer those muscles are, the more they will hurt when you try to move. By relaxing them through stretching you will find that you move easier and with less pain.

Stretching has so many great benefits. Talk to your chiropractor about a customized stretching plan that you can do at home. You’ll love what it does for you. If you don’t have a chiropractor, give us a call. We’re here to help!

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