People do not stretch very often, and it becomes more difficult to stretch as we age. If you don't stretch regularly, your muscles and joints can become tight and stiff.

The benefits of therapeutic stretching have become increasingly important in massage therapy as we perform active and evasive stretching- or contract/relax. Stretching increases flexibility, mobility, and range of motion. Therapeutic stretching provides the following advantages:

 

  • Enhances movement by allowing the muscle to elongate.

  • The client/patient has greater flexibility to bend, rotate, and turn.

  • Therapeutic stretching relieves aches and pains, reduces tight muscle hypertonicity, and improves joint mobility.

  • A gentle "tug" in the hands or legs, for example, will open the shoulders, elbow, and wrist joints. When you stretch or pull on your legs, the hips, knees, and ankles open to allow synovial fluid to enter (Joint Fluid)

  • Stretching can also help athletes perform better in sports.

  • Lowers the risk of soft tissue injuries such as muscle and tendon strains.

  • Stretching can also help with fatigue and muscle soreness.

  • Enhances positive body awareness, relaxation, coordination, circulation, and stress reduction.

 

As people get older, they may think, "I want to increase my ability to be more active, or I want to stay active and live a healthier lifestyle." They begin to recognize that flexibility is an essential component of longevity! Nowadays, there is more interest and development among businesses, companies, and massage clinics/Physical Therapy to provide "stand alone therapeutic stretching" services, just as we do and offer at Knot Release Therapies!

With what stretching can do for a person, we are seeing and implementing a "mind set" change in our clients! whether it is used for daily functions such as getting in and out of a car, going up and down stairs, getting up from a couch or chair, or for an athlete who can simply enjoy and endure better performance at their sports!

Therapeutic stretching is an antidote to many body issues and can improve our lives!