Stretching

Stretching helps keep the muscles agile and flexible. It's necessary not only for athletes, but for us all. From day to day the muscles throughout our bodies accumulate tension. With this technique, we can make the muscles more flexible in order to avoid an excess of tension or to eliminate tension that has already built up.

 

There are specific stretches for each muscle and for each muscle group. These can also be adapted to suit the age and state of health of the patient.

 

Some stretches shown can be carried out at home and others will be implemented by the physiotherapist during the appointment.

 

Stretching relaxes the mind and prepares the body for activity. We should stretch every day -- just a few minutes is enough. The benefits of regular stretching are as follows:

 

• Reduce muscle tension and relax the body

 

• Help improve coordination, making movement easier.

 

• Increase mobility.

 

• Help prevent lesions such as pulled muscles and  muscle cramps.

 

• Improve one's ability to participate in intense activities, such as running, playing tennis, skiing, swimming, walking, bike riding… because it prepares the body for such activities.

 

• Helps to maintain the degree of flexibility of the muscles: muscles don't become more and more rigid over time when stretching is carried out regularly.
• Improves whole body awareness: as you stretch different muscles, you concentrate on them and get to know your body better.

 

• Leads to wellbeing.

 

With all that in mind, ideally one should stretch before engaging in an activity (when you wake up in the morning, before playing sports, before work…) and after finishing an activity (before going to bed, after work, after exercising…). It's also healthy to stretch when you feel the need to (during work, for example).