The Benefits of Stretching: From Flexibility to Stress Relief

This month we’ve focused on ways to improve your health in the new year, whether it’s eating better or exercising more. One important activity we can’t forget is stretching! As you get older, your muscles tighten, so staying flexible is particularly important. It’s a natural part of aging, but it can cause problems if you don’t counteract it with stretching. Here are some of the benefits of stretching between your regular chiropractic adjustments. 

Stretching Promotes Proper Spinal Alignment

The muscles in your shoulders, chest, and lower back and impact spinal alignment. If any of those muscles are tight, it can lead to joint dysfunction and pain. When a muscle becomes tight, it usually doesn’t do so in a symmetrical way. That means one side of the body can be pulled higher than the other in an attempt to compensate for the tightening muscles. When combined with regular chiropractic adjustments, stretching can help prevent this problem to promote good spinal health. 

Stretching Promotes Flexibility and Improved Range of Motion

Stretching is known to help improve flexibility, and it’s important to understand the connection between the loss of flexibility and range of motion and injuries like back pain. Stretching helps improve and maintain flexibility, which then makes you less likely to become injured. When your muscles have proper range of motion and are flexible, they will work more effectively. For tips on stretches that will most benefit you, just ask during your next adjustment!

Stretching Promotes Stress Relief

Stress is something we all have to deal with, but it should also be something we all know how to deal with effectively. Stretching is a great way to relieve stress. Just the act of breathing and stretching relaxes the mind and body as more oxygen goes to the internal organs and brain. Perhaps one of the best things about stretching is that it requires no special equipment and can be done anywhere, so you can start reaping the benefits of stretching today. 

There are many wonderful benefits that come from stretching. To learn more about the benefits of stretching with chiropractic care, click here to contact your local South Florida chiropractor!