Stretch Your Way to a Healthier You

2025 is the year for you to prioritize your health and wellness. Incorporating stretching into your daily routine can help you feel more energized, flexible, and rejuvenated. From reducing muscle soreness to improving posture and preventing injuries, stretching can enhance your quality of life in many ways.

You know exercise is important, but what about stretching? Does stretching take a back seat to your exercise routine? Not so fast.

Stretching may help you improve your range of motion and decrease your risk of injury, among other benefits.

Understand why stretching can help and how to stretch correctly.

Benefits of stretching

Studies about the benefits of stretching have had mixed results. Some research shows that stretching doesn't reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Other studies show that lengthening the muscle and holding the stretch immediately before a sprint may slightly worsen performance.

However, research has shown that stretching can help improve flexibility, and, as a result, the range of motion of your joints.

Better flexibility may:

• Improve your performance in physical activities
• Decrease your risk of injuries
• Help your joints move through their full range of motion
• Increase muscle blood flow
• Enable your muscles to work most effectively
• Improve your ability to do daily activities

You may learn to enjoy the ritual of stretching before or after hitting the trail, ballet floor or soccer field.

Stretching essentials

Before you plunge into stretching, make sure you do it safely and effectively. While you can stretch anytime, anywhere, proper technique is key. Stretching incorrectly can actually do more harm than good.

Use these tips to keep stretching safe:

• Don't consider stretching a warmup.?You may hurt yourself if you stretch cold muscles. Before stretching, warm up with light walking, jogging or biking at low intensity for 5 to 10 minutes. Even better, stretch after your workout when your muscles are warm.
• Strive for symmetry.?Everyone's genetics for flexibility are a bit different. Rather than striving for the flexibility of a dancer or gymnast, focus on having equal flexibility side to side (especially if you have a history of a previous injury). Flexibility that is not equal on both sides may be a risk factor for injury.
• Focus on major muscle groups.?Concentrate your stretches on major muscle groups such as your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders. Make sure that you stretch both sides.
• Don't bounce.?Stretch in a smooth movement, without bouncing. Bouncing as you stretch can injure your muscle and actually contribute to muscle tightness.
• Hold your stretch.?Breathe normally and hold each stretch for about 30 seconds; in problem areas, you may need to hold for around 60 seconds.
• Don't aim for pain.?Expect to feel tension while you're stretching, not pain. If it hurts, you've pushed too far. Back off to the point where you don't feel any pain, then hold the stretch.
• Make stretches sport specific.?Some evidence suggests that it's helpful to do stretches involving the muscles used most in your sport or activity. If you play soccer, for instance, stretch your hamstrings as you're more vulnerable to hamstring strains.

• Keep up with your stretching.?Stretching can be time-consuming. But you can achieve the most benefits by stretching regularly, at least two to three times a week. Even 5 to 10 minutes of stretching at a time can be helpful.
• Bring movement into your stretching.?Gentle movements, such as those in tai chi, Pilates or yoga, can help you be more flexible in specific movements. These types of exercises can also help reduce falls in older adults.

Know when to exercise caution

If you have a chronic condition or an injury, you might need to adjust your stretching techniques. For example, if you already have a strained muscle, stretching it may cause further harm. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about the most appropriate way to stretch if you have any health concerns.

Also remember that stretching doesn't mean you can't get injured. Stretching, for instance, won't prevent an overuse injury.

Unlock your body's potential with stretching. Miller Physical Therapy can help you improve your range of motion, reduce muscle tension, and enhance your overall well-being. Contact Miller PT at (561) 278-6055.