The Importance of Flexibility

Many things in life are about flexibility. For example, being flexible at work or home is expected since anything can happen. However, physical flexibility also has a huge impact on overall health and wellness that is often overlooked.

 

There are several benefits to your health from staying physically flexible Here are a few of those benefits:

 

• Reduced chance of injury – When your body is strong and flexible, you’re simply able to avoid more injuries. A combination of regular chiropractic care and flexibility exercises can help your body to be more resilient.
• Reduced pain – If you work to increase your flexibility, then you’ll feel better too. Loose muscles that aren’t holding onto a lot of tension will experience fewer painful issues.
• Improved balance and posture – A byproduct of focusing on flexibility is improved posture. Strengthening and lengthening the muscles helps to increase your range of motion, making it easier to stand and sit in a way that uses proper posture.

HOW TO BECOME MORE FLEXIBLE

There are several ways to become more flexible. The first step is creating goals for yourself. After you create your flexibility goals, you can work on your flexibility with a few of these exercises that you should aim to do most days of the week for up to 20 minutes at a time:

 

• Standing hamstring stretch – This is done by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, your arms down by your sides, and your knees relaxed and slightly bent. Slowly bend forward at your hips as you lower your head toward the floor, making sure your neck, head, and shoulders stay relaxed. Gently grab the back of your legs with your hands and hold for up to two minutes, rolling up when you’re through.
• Triceps stretch – Sit, stand, or kneel with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended up over your head. Bend one of your arms at the elbow, reaching the hand of that arm toward the middle of your back. Reach with the opposite hand and grasp the elbow of the bent arm, gently pulling the elbow down toward your head. Switch arms and repeat.
• Butterfly stretch – Sit on the floor with your back straight and the soles of your feet together. Your knees should fall out to the sides. Hold your feet or ankles and slowly lower your torso toward the floor as far as you can as you press your knees down. If you cannot bend because your muscles feel too tight, then simply press your knees down toward the floor. Hold for up to two minutes.

 

These exercises are a great place to start working on your flexibility. Try to make them a part of your daily routine. In the end it can be very beneficial!

 

Dr. Brian Augustine of Augustine Chiropractic in Wesley Chapel, FL, has over 31 years of experience treating patients for their neck pain and other ailments through personalized chiropractic care treatments. The locally owned and operated chiropractic clinic offers both in-office treatments and at-home therapy regimens to help people recover and heal from auto injuries and other conditions. The staff is dedicated to providing alternative and therapeutic solutions for better overall health. Give them a call today at (813) 994-6008 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more about their services!