Stretching can have such a huge impact on your health. The majority of people today believe that stretching is only necessary when exercising. Contrary to this belief, stretching is most beneficial when performed on a consistent basis whether associated with exercise or not. Why is this the case?
Well, for the very fact that stretching has much more impact on your health than simply increasing your flexibility. Keystone Physical Medicine in Boise, your chiropractor will teach you a variety of stretches that should be performed daily, that will help to decrease stress, improve blood flow, and help ‘hold’ your chiropractic adjustments.
The benefits of stretching are almost endless. Have you ever noticed that you commonly feel the need to stretch first thing in the morning, or after sitting for a longer period of time, such as at work or after a long drive? Well, there is actually a physiologically reason for this feeling. When you remain inactive for longer periods of time, blood flow decreases as there is less need for oxygen.
The downside to this, is that due to a decrease in blood flow there is an increase in waste retention. When you move, which requires contracting and relaxing of muscles, a pumping action is carried out resulting in an influx of oxygen rich blood, and an evacuation of waste products.
The outcome of this is improved circulation, increased efficiency and performance of the muscles, as well as decreased damage due to stagnant waste products. Other benefits of stretching include but are not limited to the following;
- Improved physical efficiency and performance due to ease of movement, as a result of less soft tissue and joint restriction
- Decreased risk of injury
- Improved circulation and nutrient exchange in both soft tissue and joint structures
- Improved joint health resulting in less degeneration
- Improved neuromuscular coordination and balance
- Decreased muscle tension and improved relaxation
At Keystone Physical Medicine, Dr. Cory Sartin can help get you on the right track to implement a stretching routine into your daily life. When you stretch regularly, and remove tension on the muscles, particularly those around the spine, each chiropractic adjustment will ‘hold’ longer, as the muscles are not pulling the vertebrae or spinal bones back to where they were when you first came in.
