When done properly, any modality of stretching feels great! In this article I go very quickly over the general benefits of stretching. In my next post I will go into Assisted Stretching and its added benefits on top on the ones I mention below.
- Enhances health of muscles and connective tissues.
- Improves mobility. In another article we will discuss the relationship between flexibility, strengthening, range of motion and how they are key components in mobility.
- Prevents injuries. Flexible and strong muscles are better prepared to deal with the stresses of everyday life, letting you to engage into any activity more comfortably and in a safer way.
- Breaks Adhesions. Adhesions are fibrous bands of scar tissue that binds together normally separate bodily structures, this adhesions restricts normal movement.
- Promotes circulation of blood and lymph, which translates into better nutrition for the tissues as well as better waste product removal.
- Increases immune system response: collagen fibers health is key to the immune system.
- Promotes better breathing. A poor posture with tight muscles of the trunk reduces ventilatory capacity. Proper stretching of chest, intercostal and back muscles improves lung capacity.
- Enhances relaxation.
- Improves overall physical performance.
- Prepares the body for exercise.
- Helps to relieve post exercise aches and pains.
- Improves posture. A poor posture is a combination of of short/tight/contracted muscles on one side of the body versus weak muscles on the other side.
- Helps to reduce and manage stress.
Stretch Therapy and Bodywork 