BACK PAIN
Taking a preventative/corrective approach with stretching.

 

A chiropractor once said to me that if everyone stretched everyday both he and I would be out of a job… It’s true!

A large number of back problems that we suffer from are a direct result of not stretching enough. This is due to the amount of toxins the body holds in its muscle tissue. If everyone took 5 to 10 min. a day to stretch it would save them thousands of dollars on medical bills in the future (not to mention preventing hours of pain). Stretching is a very important part of keeping your body young and mobile; it brings blood and oxygen to the joints, which keeps them supple and healthy. Stretching also flushes the body of toxins and lactic acid that can create trigger points (knots) that bind muscle fibers together and prevent the muscle from functioning at its maximum potential.

The most important time to stretch is in the morning, right when you get out of bed. At that time your lower back is in a stiff and fragile state due to the inflammation created from lying on your back for the better part of eight hours. Most back injuries begin in the morning and then during the day they get progressively worse. That’s why it’s best to stretch the lower back in the morning in order to let it know that its resting hours are over. This prepares the back to carry the weight of the torso and be able to deal with the strain of sitting, bending over, and twisting throughout the day.

The other time that is very important to stretch is right after a workout, most importantly stretching the muscle that you have worked. It is best to not let your body cool down since you want stretch when your muscles are tired and loosened up. Think of a post-workout stretch as a treat for your muscles; you are giving them food as well as promoting proper blood flow. The blood carries nutrients and vitamins that will help build, heal and keep your muscles and joints healthy for years to come!

Call Direct: (800) 310-1335
           Or: (310) 437-8610