Focus on stretching!

Whether or not you may suffer from muscle or back pain, a healthy lifestyle is an important thing for all people to maintain. Physical activity is an essential part of that, of course, but let’s be honest: it can take its toll, too.

Whether you’re actively working out or just going about the rigors of day-to-day life, muscle aches, pains, and even injuries are things you might have to contend with from time to time. That’s why any good fitness regimen includes plenty of stretching.

While some stretches may seem tricky to learn or even more difficult to master, it’s important to remember that at its core, stretching is a totally natural activity that’s hard-wired into humans as well as plenty of other animals. It’s a total no-brainer; that’s why even dogs and cats do it! In its simplest form, stretching is simply an exercise that flexes and manipulates our muscles so that they can function at their highest levels. So you don’t have to be a frequent gym-goer or a star athlete to take advantage of the benefits of a good stretch!

And because chiropractic work often deals with back and leg pain, chiropractic patients are especially advised to maintain a healthy stretching practice--and thankfully there are plenty of great stretches to choose from!

Patients healthy enough for regular physical activity should take advantage of stretches like the “Piriformis” or “knee-to-chest” stretch: lie on your back, bring one leg over the other knee, and pull gently towards the shoulder. Switch legs and repeat three times, and you’re all set!

Hamstring stretches are also classic, easy-to-learn ways to keep loose and to avoid pain along the backs of the leg. Just lie on your back with your legs flat on the ground, and bring one leg at a time up to a 90-degree angle with the rest of your body. Hold the back of your knee for support, switch, and repeat. You’ll immediately feel the effects of such a simple activity; trust me, your body will thank you!

And that’s just the beginning. Stretches can be tailored to individual needs--for instance, elderly patients will benefit especially from stretches to prevent stoops or hunches in the posture, and children might benefit from traditional stretches performed under adult supervision. The important thing is that a good balance is maintained--between a healthy lifestyle, plenty of physical activity, and, of course, preventative measures to avoid muscle tightness, aches, and chronic pain. That means plenty of stretching!