Last week we talked about working out and how chiropractic care can help. We also discussed the importance of physical exercise and its long-term health benefits that you can gain from consistency. Occasionally, we’ve found that patients may tend to take working out and chiropractic care to heart, but may still get hurt because of the stretching component that may or may not be present. So if we are already healthy by maintaining regular chiropractic care and a solid exercise routine, what could we be missing? Simply put, it is making sure your muscles stay loose so they can handle the work you are trying to recruit them to do.
Stretching can easily be forgotten, but could be the easiest way for injury prevention. There are many benefits to the activity, and it should be reiterated and established into your daily routine. Some of these benefits can include aiding your joints to reach optimal range of motion, blood flow and connective tissue support, muscle function optimization, improvement of your own activities of daily living, and much more. Even if you are generally considered to be a flexible individual, it is important to implement a regular stretch routine to make sure that flexibility level does not change.
At a regular chiropractic visit at Salt and Spine, your doctor will likely give you prescribed stretches that they want you to continue at home to help with their treatment plan. Your stretches at Salt and Spine are recommended based on your condition, and status in your treatment. They will cover your musculoskeletal system during your exam, and explain how connected the human body really is. These connections show why it is so important to stretch more muscles in your body! For example, you may have lower back pain and just happen to have tight hamstrings and tight hip flexors. Reducing the tightness in the hamstrings and hip flexors could potentially help alleviate some of your lower back pain!
Postural stretches are also really important for long-term injury prevention. It may seem completely different from an area of complaint, but it may be important for reducing the chances of potential issues in the future. Maintaining postural exercises and stretches are important to maintaining joint integrity in your spine. Over time, maintaining your spinal figure to optimal posture can potentially reduce muscle imbalances which can help you move better. Good practices such as regular time allotment toward this type of stretching in tandem with the other specific muscle stretching are a good combination for the long term! A good recommendation is to “build” up your flexibility. If you have not stretched in years, it may not be recommended to go from 0 stretches to a full hour of stretching in 1 sitting. If a stretch feels like it is a “productive pain,” it is probably helping, whereas a worsening pain during a stretch may not be. The doctors here can give good cues and things to look for during a stretch so you can perform the activity properly and reduce the likelihood of injury. It is recommended to consult a professional to make sure you perform the stretch safely. Whether you need stretches to improve your posture, or you need them to improve the functionality of your high-intense workout routine, the doctors at Salt and Spine Chiropractic are here to help make sure you get the information you need!