As we navigate through our day-to-day lives, one aspect of our health that is often overlooked is our flexibility. Stretching, a cornerstone of physical therapy, plays a crucial role in maintaining mobility and preventing injuries. If you’ve been prescribed a set of stretches by your physical therapist, you may wonder why they are so important.

Firstly, stretching aids in increasing the range of motion of your joints. Reduced mobility in joints can lead to discomfort during movements, which stretching can help alleviate. Regular stretching can also improve overall flexibility, making daily activities easier and more efficient (Page, 2012).

Additionally, stretches are instrumental in injury prevention. They contribute to improved muscular balance and posture by lengthening muscles that might be habitually in a shortened state due to prolonged sitting or improper posture (Kisner et al., 2017).

Stretches are not just beneficial for your muscles and joints; they are great for your circulation too. Stretching increases blood flow to your muscles, enhancing nutrient supply and speeding up recovery from muscle and joint injuries (Hotta et al., 2018).

Finally, engaging in regular stretching can also reduce muscular tension and promote relaxation. A less tense body is less likely to suffer from stress-related injuries.

Remember, every person is unique, and so is their stretching routine. It’s essential to follow the program your physical therapist has tailored for you. In the long run, these few minutes dedicated to stretching could significantly improve your life quality.

Footnotes

1. Page, P. (2012). Current concepts in muscle stretching for exercise and rehabilitation. International journal of sports physical therapy, 7(1), 109.
2. Kisner, C., & Colby, L. A. (2017). Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques. FA Davis.
3. Hotta, N., Sato, K., Sun, Z., Katayama, K., Akima, H., Kondo, T., … & Demura, S. (2018). Vascular adaptations to resistance training in older men. American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 315(3), H531-H542.