You would think something as simple as stretching would be the bare minimum that most of us can do for our bodies, but you’d be wrong.
Even for people who otherwise exercise or are physically active, stretching might not be instinctive.
And then we wonder why we have so many aches and pains in and around the body that we constantly complain to our Physiotherapist in Lahore.
Well, that’s because we don’t partake in healthy practices like stretching that are fruitful for the muscles and hence movement.
Unlike high intensity workouts or even moderate exercise, stretching does not require you to wear special garb and neither do you have to exert much energy in stretching.
But what is stretching?
Stretching is basically the movement that helps in elongating different muscles in your body. It helps in making the muscles ready for movement, as otherwise, they can get spasmed or cause pain.
There are different types of stretches that then offer different outcomes; for example, some target your range of motion, whereas some stretches are part of the warmup routine, so your muscles are charged, which then lowers the risk of injury.
Benefits of stretching
Connect with your muscles
Even though this benefit is more abstract, and not connected to people who don’t ponder greatly over their body, but those who are into mindfulness, stretches can feel great.
It allows you to check-in with the different muscles of your body. Targeting them specifically can also be considered to help with self-awareness. It also makes you more grateful for the marvel that your body is.
Flexibility
We don’t realize it, but flexibility performs a major role in easing our movement, not to mention increasing our range of motion. Stretching regularly over weeks is a great way to lengthen your muscles.
It then helps in making the everyday movements easier; whether it be taking out the load from the machine or grabbing the glass from the cabinet, a flexible body is able to handle all these tasks better. Otherwise, putting yourself at an odd angle can cause the muscle to spasm.
Feels good
Stretching your body also feels very good. It helps in relaxing your body, easing the tight muscles and thus sets you off on the path of wellness.
Helps with workout
People who exercise can benefit especially from adding stretching to their warm up routine. It allows them to execute the exercises better. Moreover, stretching also helps in readying the muscles for the upcoming fatigue.
Even after a workout, stretching is a great way to end the routine. It feels great on the sore and well-worked out muscles. Moreover, it also aids in the process of a proper cooldown.
Improve balance
Another benefit of having a good stretching routine is that it can help in improving balance. We might be exerting a side or set of muscles more than their counterparts, which can cause imbalance in the body. Stretching can help in restoring this balance.
Helps with pain
Stretches can also help with musculoskeletal pains around the body. Backaches and neck aches are a common complaint with most of us, especially with the excessive use of screens. Regular stretching can help with this pain.
Often, this pain is a consequence of the muscles becoming shorter due to constant and specific movement. As stretching helps in lengthening the muscles, it then aids in abating this pain as well.
Lowers risk of injury
Regular stretching is also good for protecting against injuries as well, especially before and after exercise.
Similarly, daily stretches also aid in improving movement, and if you otherwise push your muscles more than they can take, it can lead to injury, meriting then a visit to the Physiotherapist in Islamabad. But as stretches help in lengthening muscles and improving range of motion, the chances of getting injured are lesser than.
