How flexible are you?

Jun 10, 2019 | Patients

34810860_MStretching can be painful for some of us. Some people are like human Gumby dolls, while others are lucky to even bend over to the knees. No matter how flexible you may or may not be, regular stretching is a boon to your health.

Have you ever opened a new tub of Play-Doh? It’s soft, pliable, and you can make almost anything out of it. Over time Play-Doh begins to dry out. To roll it out to make even the most simple shape can be difficult. Your body can be a lot like old play-doh. Stretching can help release tension in your muscles and increase flexibility. At first it may hurt, but eventually, you’ll loosen your body up so you can bend and twist. That’s not the only benefit of regular stretching either. Following are a few more:

  • Increased blood flow. It isn’t easy for your heart to pump blood through a stiff body. Stretching is a great way to improve circulation. It can help reduce muscle soreness and recovery time.
  • Stress Relief. Stretching helps to release muscle tension, caused by stress. Focus on where you feel sore most often, like your neck, shoulders, back, and hips. These areas are where we tense up when we stressed.
  • Increased physical performance. When you stretch your body, your muscles perform better. They’re loose and ready to go, just like once you get that old play-doh rolled out. Try adding some stretching exercises before an activity and see how it changes your performance.

These are only a few benefits of stretching. Your doctor of chiropractic is an excellent resource to ask for help. It’s time to start stretching out your body. The more you do it, the more you’ll begin to feel like a brand new tub of Play-Doh. You’ll be able to bend into anything!