Did You Know Stretching Could Improve Your Overall Health?
Did you know that stretch therapy can dramatically improve your overall health, wellness, and quality of life? Tons of people beginning an exercise or physical therapy regimen are given a specific set of exercises. Still, these instructions don’t always come with proper guidance on the stretching that should accompany the program.
Stretching exercises are a staple of physical therapy for just that reason. You might be surprised to discover just how many ways stretches can help you, primarily if they are performed correctly.
To ensure that you can either avoid injuries or, at the very least, prevent existing ones from worsening, here’s a comprehensive guide to different types of stretching and their benefits ca be done at Forza Physiotherapy and Wellness in San Antonio, TX!
How does regularly stretching help with wellness?
Stretching has several advantages for helping your body maintain its health, and stress alleviation is one of the best ones! Everyday life presents you with several challenges, and the accompanying tension can be stored in your muscles.
Stress causes cortisone and adrenaline, which are “fight or flight” chemicals, to flood your body. An immune function might be suppressed due to these abnormalities, making you more susceptible to viruses and other infections. Another severe side effect of continuous stress is hypertension.
Regular stretches help your body release all that pent-up stress. By relaxing and loosening your muscles, you can maintain better control over your blood pressure, avoid chronic muscle pain, and keep your immune system ready for anything.
Active stretching
Active stretching techniques require adopting and holding a position or pose using only the muscles in the corresponding group to the one being targeted.
Consider an ankle being flexed back and forth as an example. Still, the calf muscles holding toes in a pointed position or raised toward the shin are referred to as the “agonist” and “antagonist,” as they perform opposing functions. In any stretch, the agonist muscle is the one contracting, and the antagonist is the one lengthening.
While this technique can be applied all over the body, allow the limbs or joints in question to move naturally through their full range of motion, holding at each end.
This is ideal when warming up in preparation for an activity, rather than lengthening the muscle as part of a proactive program to improve flexibility.
Snag these benefits for yourself!
Stretching can be done correctly or incorrectly. For starters, different types of stretches have distinct advantages. Active stretches (moving a body part without assistance), passive stretches (holding or supporting a body part), or both may be appropriate for your condition.
Stretches can potentially cause injury if done wrong, so it’s a good idea to talk with a professional before you start aggressively throwing yourself into random exercise routines! Contact our physical therapy clinic at Forza Physiotherapy and Wellness in San Antonio, TX now to find out how Forza Physiotherapy and Wellness can help you stretch safely and effectively.