Did you know stretching affects more than just your muscles?

Hello! This is Nishide!

"Stretching is for making your body flexible."

Don't you think so?

Of course, increasing flexibility and ease of joint movement are the primary goals of stretching.

However, stretching can potentially change more than just softening your muscles.

In fact, it is becoming clear that it is also related to surprising areas such as blood vessels, nerves, and how you perceive pain.

This time, a professional stretching studio will introduce some benefits of stretching that might make you think, "Wait, really?"

1. It relates to "blood vessels," not just muscles

When you stretch, blood flow temporarily changes around the muscles being stretched.

It has been reported that repeating this can lead to positive changes in vascular flexibility and endothelial function.

In other words, while it may look like you are only stretching your muscles, you are also stimulating the inside of your body.

The reason some people feel "my body has warmed up" or "my hands and feet feel toasty" may be related to changes in circulation in addition to the muscles relaxing.

However, this does not mean that stretching alone will improve blood pressure or cure diseases. Let's think of it as one of the habits for maintaining your body daily!

2. You may become more resistant to pain

When people continue stretching and find they can reach further in a forward bend, many may think it is "because the muscles have become longer."

However, in reality, it is not just changes in the muscles themselves, but also changes in "stretch tolerance," where the brain and nerves become accustomed to the sensation of being stretched.

Additionally, there are studies suggesting that continuous stretching reduces sensitivity to pain.

In other words, becoming flexible is not just about muscles simply stretching, but also about...

"It's okay to move this far"

And there are times when the range that the brain and body can gradually judge expands.

3. It can also be used to switch your mood

Stretching while breathing slowly is a time not only for your body but also for switching your mood.

Studies on yoga and stretching have shown changes in stress-related hormones in saliva and indicators of the autonomic nervous system.

During work, your breathing unconsciously becomes shallow, and it becomes easy to put tension into your shoulders and neck.

When you slowly stretch your body at such times,

"I realized for the first time that I was tense"

There are not a few people who say this.

Stretching is an exercise to make your body flexible, and at the same time, it is a time to notice tension.

4. Daily small movements become easier

Putting on socks, picking up things from the floor, looking back, climbing stairs.

We move many joints every day.

If your body is stiff, the parts that should move do not move, and other parts have to work instead.

For example, if your hip joints are difficult to move, you may bend your lower back more than necessary, or if your shoulder blades do not move, you may put tension into your neck and shoulders.

If the range of motion you can use expands through stretching, there is a possibility that you can reduce these "movements that work instead."

Stretching is not just for people who exercise.

Rather, it is also about building a body to make daily life a little easier.

5. You can understand body habits you didn't notice yourself

When you stretch,

・It's harder to stretch on the right side
・My neck feels stiff when I turn to the left
・It's hard to balance on one leg

You may notice such left-right imbalances.

In daily life, your body unconsciously chooses the easiest way to move, so it's hard to notice your own habits.

Stretching not only aligns your body but also serves as a self-check to confirm your current physical condition.

Instead of worrying about your body only after pain occurs, notice it at the stage of minor discomfort.

This is also a major benefit of making stretching a habit.

Stretching is a "conversation with your body"

The goal of stretching is not to force yourself into a split or to become more flexible than someone else.

・Is your breathing stopped?
・Is there a difference in movement between the left and right sides?
・Where is the tension today?

It is important to check these small signs from your body.

Stretching is not just a simple exercise to lengthen muscles.

It is an opportunity to pay attention to your entire body, including blood vessels, nerves, how you perceive pain, your mental state, and daily movements.

Instead of saying "I won't do it because I'm stiff," try doing it to understand your stiffness and changes.

Why not try stretching your body for just 30 seconds while taking deep breaths before bed or during a break at work?

※If you experience strong pain or numbness, do not force the stretch and consult a medical professional.

✔️ Professionals will check your "flexibility"!

If you think, "Hmm... maybe I'm stiff" or "Why have I been so tired lately?", please come to Positive Stretch!
Professional trainers will analyze your body's habits in detail and guide you one-on-one toward a body that moves easily from the core. Please feel free to consult us.
👉 [WebReservations and store list here]

👉 [We distribute videos on YouTube!]
https://www.youtube.com/@positive-stretch