Cornerstone Physical Therapy in Clark on the importance of stretching

Suburban News By Suburban News Suburban News
on October 03, 2013 at 2:13 PM, updated October 03, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Pix-1009Cornerstone.JPGDavid De La Fuente 

Whether playing a sport, working in the yard, or performing a job related task, stretching needs to become a part of your daily routine. Preparing the body for the demands that is put on it can be a timely and tedious task.

However, there are various forms of stretching, including static stretching, active stretching, and ballistic stretching. The best type of stretching is debatable and different theorists will argue why one technique is more beneficial than another. The one thing that everyone can agree on is that stretching is an imperative part of any training program.

I meet a lot of people in my practice that participate in some form of exercise, whether an organized sport, or members of a gym and when examined for an injury, it is common that flexibility deficits can be identified. When asked if the patient incorporates stretching into their exercise regimen, commonly the answer is no. Stretching is a great way to minimize muscle tightness, decrease stress, and counteract the poor positions and postures we place our body in throughout the day.

For example, many people work on a computer, which results in someone sitting for a period of time. When you sit, your hips and knees are flexed, placing the hamstrings in a shortened position. Sitting each day allows for adaptive shortening, which can lead to a decreased stride length while walking, and can result with low back pain. If someone works in a warehouse, lifting and reaching overhead is a common activity throughout your workday. Stretching muscles like your biceps, pectorals, and wrist flexors prior to lifting is a good choice to prevent injury, and to prevent adaptive shortening through repetitive overuse, which occurs when you perform the same activity each day.

Learning how to stretch properly is very important, and understanding the structure and function of the muscle identifies the direction in which to stretch. Stretching properly will restore and maintain normal muscle length after performing repetitive activities such as lifting boxes, sitting extensively, or throwing a football. Stretching also decreases muscle aches and pains from lactic acid build up within the muscle fibers, which is the waste product generated from muscle contractions.

If experiencing muscle pain and tightness, or are interested in learning on how to stretch safely and properly before beginning an activity, come and see your local physical therapist, at Cornerstone Physical Therapy Health and Wellness Center, conveniently located on 77 Brant Ave., Suite 101 in Clark, where they can screen for the origin of the pain, specialize in manual treatment, one-on-one care, and educate you on proper stretching techniques with a personalized exercise prescription.

For more information regarding any injury or condition, and possible treatment options in a relaxing and convenient environment, call at 732-499-4540. Cornerstone specializes in many facets of physical therapy, focusing on complete patient satisfaction, and patient results. Cornerstone also guarantees each individual will be seen within 48 hours, is open 6 days per week, making them available for a patient’s hectic lifestyle and accepts all insurances. Let us help you enjoy your life, without worrying about uneasy pain.
