Maintaining flexibility is important because it helps ensure that we are moving our bodies easily and safely. Our flexibility decreases as we age because our muscles get stiffer, and if they don’t get stretched out our muscles can actually become shorter. A shortened muscle then puts us at risk of muscle damage, joint pain and muscle strains.
In an article called Stretching: The New Mobility Protection that was posted to Harvard Health the importance of maintaining flexibility as we age was highlighted.
In particular, shortened muscles are a hazard as we age because it can increase the risk of falling and make it harder to do activities or movements like climbing stairs or reaching for something in the kitchen.
Benefits
Stretching is beneficial as it helps us regain and maintain flexibility. Elissa Huber-Anderson, a physical therapist at Massachusetts General Hospital, describes how “Stretching your muscles is similar to stretching an elastic band” since “the elastic’s resting length becomes longer”.
The more often stretching is done, the longer and more flexible the muscles can become. By increasing the flexibility and length you will experience:
· Increased range of motion
· Reduced risk of muscle and joint injury
· Reduced joint and back pain
· Improved balance
· Improved posture
This all helps to ensure that we maintain mobility as we age so that we can continue to participate in the activities that we enjoy. Assisted Stretching can help to implement a schedule to ensure that time is available for stretching and to ensure that you are getting the most out of a stretch by having a trained professional assist you in the journey to flexibility.
Sources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/stretching-the-new-mobility-protection
Photo: Unsplash user Sebastien Goldberg @sebastiengoldberg