How can you feel at ease in your own body? Stretching

#BeavertonHealth&Happiness

Stretching is something we all know we should do but often don’t. You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from stretching.

Why should I stretch?

Stretching increases your range of motion or ROM. The more ROM you have, the more comfortable you move, the more at ease you feel in your body. Plus, you’ll heal better and injure less.

Stretching also improves your blood flow. Blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerve sheaths all have more wiggle and breathing room, so numbness becomes a thing of the past.

Fatigue diminishes because the tissues are encouraged to increase in elasticity and blood flow, which helps hydrate the muscles and allows for nutrient and oxygen exchange.

What should I stretch?

Stretch whenever you sense an uncomfortable tension in the muscles, and especially after being still for any significant length of time.

Stretch through parts of your body that don’t typically experience a wide range of motion. For most people, this is everything on the front of the body like the neck, chest, and abs and the muscles that stay short for long periods like the armpit region, front of the groin, and behind the knees.

How should I stretch?

Starting with the tight spots, be deliberate and careful. Go slowing on movements the body’s muscles and ligaments are reluctant to do. A good full-body routine might look like a mini yoga class – mountain pose, downward dog, upward dog, crescent lunge, triangle, and pigeon pose will stretch virtually every key muscle group. Your body will thank you!

By Dr. Bryen A. Bell, a Board-Certified Chiropractic Physician with over 20 years of professional experience. Contact Dr. Bell at True Potential Chiropractic family care facility. Call 503-574-4872 or visit tpcportland.com.