This April at Chiropractic Balance we are trying something we haven’t done before. We are organizing a group of like-minded people that are committed to improving their health but, like many of us, find it difficult to be consistent.
If you are anything like me you understand what you need to do to keep yourself healthy and have the best intentions to do so, however, sometimes life just gets in the way. For the month of April, the chiropractors at Chiropractic Balance are doing a weekly email series with short videos demonstrating the stretches and their importance to establishing a healthier lifestyle.
Stretching has multiple benefits for both your body and your mind. Incorporating stretching into your daily routine allows muscles to be well circulated, reduce muscle pain, improve recovery and ultimately lead to a healthier body. Healthy muscles also help a person with balance problems to avoid falls. Below are some of the benefits of stretching:
Flexibility
Stretching improves flexibility. The more you stretch, the more you move your muscles, and the more flexible you become. Over time, stretching will become easier for your body which results in improved flexibility.
Posture
Stretching is also beneficial to improve your posture. Poor posture—a common and increasing problem—can easily be reversed and healed with daily stretching. Because stretching strengthens your muscles and encourages proper alignment, your body posture will be less slouched and more vertical.
Injury Prevention
The more you prepare your muscles for any exercising movement, the more your likelihood of injury is decreased. When your muscles are warm and stretched, movement becomes easier and more fluid-like which helps with injury prevention.
Increased Nutrients
Most people know that stretching increases blood supply, but they do not realize that it also increases nutrient supply to muscles. Because stretching allows blood to flow through your body, the nutrients in the blood are being carried and spread out all throughout your body as well.
Reduced soreness
Stretching after a workout gives your muscles time to relax. Increases in blood flow and nutrient supply to the muscles, as well as removal of lactate acid, help to improve repair and relieve soreness in the muscles after a workout.
Join Chiropractic Balance’s Stretch Series Today!
Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage. Furthermore, stretching provides your mind with a mental break. It allows you to recharge and refresh the blood flow throughout your body, resulting in a calmer and more peaceful mindset. Stretching does not need to be time-consuming. If you take 10 minutes out of your day to stretch and try to do so at least 2-3 days a week you will achieve the most benefits. If you stretch on an irregular schedule, your body will not be able to maintain a consistent range of motion. Because stretching increases your range of motion, it is important to get in the habit of stretching often in order to increase flexibility. Ultimately, this is why our chiropractors have organised April stretch month. Ask reception, email info@chirobalance.co.nz or ask your chiropractor about signing up for the stretch series today!
Source:
https://www.healthline.com/health/guide-to-better-posture-exercises
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-stretching
https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/blog/archive/healthy-habits/why-stretching-extremely-important
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching
https://shcs.ucdavis.edu/blog/archive/healthy-habits/why-stretching-extremely-important