Did you know that stretching your body will help you improve circulation prior to working out or playing a sport? It might not be the most pleasant activity, but stretching is a huge part of recovering from an injury or preventing one altogether. There are a ton of reasons why you should start stretching on a daily basis, and the benefits of stretching go beyond injury rehab.
If you’re experiencing a lot of stress in your daily life then stretching will provide you with a relaxing activity that also brings stress relief. If you’re still not sold on the benefits of stretching then today is your lucky day. You’ve come to the perfect place to learn all about wh your physical therapist wants you to continue stretching each day.
Keep reading to learn about the seven great benefits of stretching today!
1. Boosts Range of Motion
Many people struggle with a lack of range of motion, but one of the benefits of stretching is increasing your range of motion. The more range of motion that you have, the more limber and free your body will feel when you’re on the move. You won’t get that feeling that your muscles and ligaments are tight when you go running or make an explosive movement.
There is also a domino effect when it comes to the tightness in your body. If your hip flexors and hamstrings are feeling tight then your movement in the hip region will get limited and your running stride will become less efficient. You won’t be able to move or run as fast as you’d like in this state.
2. Decreases Your Injury Risk
Everyone at your local physical therapy clinic will tell you that the best way to go about recovering from an injury is preventing it altogether. The best way to prevent injuries is to take some time each day to stretch your body. Dynamic stretching is great because it helps your body get warmed up and it will improve circulation.
The muscles and connective tissues in your body will get the preparation that they need for the intense workout that lies ahead. You’ll decrease the odds of suffering injuries to your muscles and joints when you start embracing the benefits of stretching. If you need help learning different stretches then you should check out Brevard physical therapy.
3. Improves Posture
Poor posture is a big cause of injuries as well as general aches and pains in your body. It sounds crazy, but one of the benefits of stretching is the improvement that it makes to your posture. The typical life of humans in the 21st-century involves creating a number of muscle imbalances on a daily basis.
If you want to have good posture and eliminate body pain while recovering from an injury then you need to continue stretching. People often hunch forward when using their phones or computers, which causes back pain and a tight chest region. Stretching will help you maintain good posture and relieve tension in those parts of your body.
4. Gets Rid of Pain
Another big benefit of stretching is the fact that it will help you get rid of pain in your body. Injury recovery isn’t a fun time, but stretching on a regular basis will help you get rid of the pain that comes with your recovery process. Stiff muscles will cause pain due to the restriction on your ability to move.
Stretching on a consistent basis will help you keep your hamstrings loose and prevent back pain. You’ll be back on your feet and moving like you could when you were younger. It will also bolster your quality of life.
5. Better Athletic Performance
Stretching is also a great way to improve your athletic performance. You should always take some time to stretch your body prior to taking part in an athletic event. You should look to use dynamic stretching since it is a great way to allow your body to reach its potential.
Save static stretching for after your workouts and try to use a comprehensive dynamic stretching routine prior to your athletic events. You should consider working with a physical therapist to come up with a stretching routine, especially if you’re trying to get through injury recovery.
6. Less Muscle Soreness
Once you’re done working out or playing your favorite sport you should always remember to stretch. A static stretching routine is the best way to take care of muscle soreness and prevent injuries. You will get rid of lactic acid that would build up in your body after you get done working out.
Taking steps to improve circulation is one of the best things that you can do to eliminate the soreness that you’d otherwise feel in your muscles. The nutrients that your body needs will make their way to the sorest areas for quick injury recovery.
7. Stress Relief
If you find that you’re feeling an increased level of stress then you should look at the benefits of stretching. In addition to recovering from an injury, stretching on a consistent basis will help you manage your stress or get rid of it altogether. Many people feel much calmer and more relaxed after spending some time stretching.
You’ll also spend some time clearing your mind when you’ve got a lot going on. It’s a great way to center your breath and let go of the things in your life that are creating feelings of negativity. Your stretching routine will also release cortisol which is huge for managing the stress levels in your body.
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Stretching
There are a ton of great benefits of stretching that you need to take advantage of if you want to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Stretching is great for recovering from an injury and preventing chronic pain in your body. It will also help you improve circulation and stress relief while helping you get your body ready for your favorite activities.
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