Why stretching is important

Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints and muscles. Without stretching, our muscles shorten and become tight, they will become weaker and unable to move in the way we need them to. This puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage.

For example, sitting in a chair all day , which many of us do, may result in tight hip flexor muscles at the front and inside your hip. That can make it harder to extend your leg or straighten your knee all the way, which can inhibit walking making you want to sit even more! Then when tight muscles are suddenly called on for a strenuous activity that stretches them, such as playing tennis, they may become damaged from suddenly being stretched further than they are used to.

Injured muscles may not be strong enough to support the joints, which can lead to joint injury, pain, discomfort and may need surgery interventions to fix.

We only get one body per life time – so it is good to look after yours!