IMPORTANCE OF STRETCHING
Why do we stretch?
When we get up, we don’t always stretch. As a society, most of us spend all day sitting, not using our bodies very much. This causes our muscles to lose its strength and ability to move around freely, for a build-up of “fuzz” between our tissues to develop and our range of motion (ROM) to decrease.The stresses life produces can also increase our muscle tension, typically in the neck and shoulder area. We may always carry our heavy purse in one hand or sit with one leg crossed, creating imbalances in our muscular system. As we age, the tightness and “fuzz” builds up reducing our ability to move as free as we wish.
Taking the time each day to stretch can help alleviate many of these symptoms. Taking each joint through a full ROM, loosens up our muscles and connective tissue keeping us limber. Blood flow to our joints and muscles increases, providing more nutrients to our muscles and reducing waste product build up. Our minds can become more relaxed, reducing stress and alleviating the associated tension, helping to reduce blood pressure. We can stand taller with better posture, especially if we stretch our chest and hip muscles. Body soreness and lower back pain can be alleviated. We can prevent injuries by keeping our joints and muscles supple, allowing them to be ready for any activity we can ask of them.
5 Benefits of Stretching:
- Flexibility increases due to the fact that our muscles will be used to those conditions, which helps prevent tension.
- Increases circulation it increase our blood circulation and the flow of nutrients to muscles and cartilage. Which helps later after working (makes muscles less sore).
- Increases Range of Motion ROM helps keep better balance of your own body. This means you have less susceptible to falls and then resulting to injuries.
- Reduces Stress, through the different ways of stretching e.g. yoga helps release stress.
- Alleviates lower back Pains in which stretching is an excellent way to help strengthen back muscles.