Various factors have an impact on flexibility.
The Age- Old Test Of Touching Your Toes Is Not The End All Exam On Flexibility Or Range Of Motion
There are many issues to consider when you begin to notice you aren’t bending and moving as easily as you once did. Some of these factors include nutrition, lifestyle, hydration and exercise routine. Are you drinking nearly half your body weight in ounces daily. That’s right! Optimum hydration calls for 1/2 of your body weight in ounces. If you weigh 180 pounds, you should be striving for 60 -90 ounces of water a day. Muscles that are not properly hydrated cannot move in the way were designed to move.Are you putting into your body optimum fuel – green leafy vegetables, lean meats, and plenty of colors in fruits and vegetables? Your body can only use what you give it, so feed it high-test high nutrition “fuel”. Lastly are you giving your body enough sleep? Are you minimizing stress and making a simple fitness routine a priority? All of these factors play a role in your flexibility.Why is flexibility so important? One of the most overlooked reasons is that good flexibility helps to prevent injury. It isn’t only athletes that require good flexibility. Anyone can hurt themselves if they happen to move the wrong way. What’s worse is that as we age we tend to lose flexibility making even the most basic tasks more dangerous. Twisting and bending should not be take for granted. Use these 3 simple steps to help you maintain your flexibility.
3 Simple Steps To Maintain Flexibility
1. Warm up! Before beginning any type of exercise program, even a stretching or flexibility- improvement routine you must let your muscles warm up first. A fast walk, a jog or a light biking route for 15-20 minutes will get your muscles warm and your heart rate up. This will prevent injury to or straining your muscles. Gone are the days of the long, hanging toe touch to “warm-up” your muscles. We know better now, and muscles should never be stretched (as in the famous toe touch) until after they have first been “warmed”. Injury is more common with cold muscles groups.
2. Exercise first! Complete your normal fitness routine completely before attempting to add your routine to increase flexibility. Stretching to increase flexibility should be completed only after you have first completed your workout routine. This will assure that all of your muscle groups are sufficiently warm.
3. Stretch! There are various forms of stretching and some can do more harm than good so find a solid stretching routine and stick to it carefully. Any stretching routine that includes bouncing or forced jolting motions should be avoided completely.
Your Flexibility Is A Top Priority For Us At Terry Chiropractic
We know that simple motions can often become more difficult as we age and flexibility is lost. Let us formulate the perfect treatment for you. Call and schedule a comprehensive exam tailored to your individual needs. From exam to treatment to regained strength and flexibility Terry Chiropractic will take you through each step with care.
