One of the most neglected parts of a daily routine is stretching. Stretching has so many benefits for both active and inactive people. If you work at a desk all day and do not exercise, stretching can help with posture, low back pain, and shoulder pain. If you are prepping for a marathon, stretching can help with your stride, reduce pain, and also prevent injury. Here’s what some of your neighbors are doing to improve their bodies:
Nicole G. is an avid runner and biker. What’s most important for her to get stretched at StretchLab LoHi is her iliopsoas (the combination of her psoas muscle and iliacus). These muscles directly impact the hip flexor, as well. When running, Nicole was finding that swinging her leg back was difficult and that she did not have full range of motion. By stretching out these areas, Nicole is less likely to get injured and has a better stride. Two stretches that are effective for this area of the body to perform on yourself are demonstrated in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIMaquxILZI
Greg and Trisha B. spend most of their weekends in the winter on the slopes, but in the summer, they are out hiking. Greg constantly had knee pain when hiking downhill until he came to StretchLab and we used our PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching method to build up strength in his legs. The resistance of the PNF stretching and slow contractions help with strength and lengthening the muscles. If you are feeling sore in your knees when hiking downhill, it is likely because you need more strength or flexibility in your hamstrings, quads, calves, or glutes. Try this at home for your hamstrings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knA63jqehik&t=7s
Christine D. is an avid golfer. Golfing requires so much flexibility in multiple areas from ankles to shoulders, you need to be loose! Christine has just started stretching here at StretchLab LoHi and already feels, “So much better.” She thinks that stretching is helping her most with her rotation in her backswing and follow through. Twist stretches are one of the ways to increase the rotation. In this video, London shows us some great stretches to improve your rotation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QijzitFTYVs
Stretching at home is great and, in an ideal scenario, is done daily! StretchLab LoHi can help you with maintaining your routine by keeping you accountable. We can also take you into deeper stretches and/or sometimes move your body in ways that you are unable to yourself. If you need more than what you can give yourself, come try us out!
Stretching at home is great and, in an ideal scenario, is done daily! StretchLab LoHi can help you with maintaining your routine by keeping you accountable. We can also take you into deeper stretches and/or sometimes move your body in ways that you are unable to yourself. If you need more than what you can give yourself, come try us out!
