WHEN TO STRETCH
WHEN TO STRETCH
As part of my massage treatment, I often suggest stretches to assist recovery.
Not everyone is aware when the best time to stretch is. For example when you get out of bed is not the time for an extreme stretch session. When you’re lying in bed at night and sleeping, you don’t use your muscles the same way you do during the day. Because of that, your muscles often stay contracted and might become stiff and your tendons are not so compliant. Additionally, the blood flow to your muscles changes while they stay so relaxed and still. So keep “wake up” stretches gentle.
When to Stretch
Stretching should be a key part of your exercise program & should be undertaken after the body has been warmed up by light exercise, for example 10 minutes walking. Stretching after your workout promotes better range of movement of your joints. Stretching also improves your flexibility, balance and coordination.
But here is some good news for those who don’t or can’t exercise. A recent study from the Mayo Clinic found soaking in a hot bath provides similar benefits to exercising without all the extra strain on the heart. It also increases your heart rate while it lowers your blood pressure. How does this work? When you first get into a hot bath it speeds up your heart to send blood to the surface and disperse extra body heat into the air. After a couple of minutes the warm blood causes your blood vessels to dilate, which decreases the resistance to blood flow and lowers your blood pressure.
