Why Should You Be Maintaining Your Flexibility?

What is flexibility?

Simply put, flexibility is the ability of your body to move freely and without restriction. 

There are, however, technical differences between mobility and flexibility, and the two often get confused. Mobility is the range of motion around a joint, while flexibility is the full range of motion around a system of muscles and joints. Flexibility is passive, while mobility is an active range of motion. 

Flexibility allows you to have more freedom in your range of motion, and you will notice an improvement in your everyday life if you improve your flexibility. For example, it becomes easier to get up off the floor or reach down to a lower surface to grab something

Why is flexibility important? 

If you are inflexible, or notice you are not as flexible as you might used to be, why does it matter? There are a considerable amount of drawbacks from being inflexible, and a number of benefits you will notice if you work on improving flexibility. 

Being inflexible can make everyday activities more difficult. Signs that you are not stretching enough can be: 

• Feeling stiff in the morning when you wake up or after physical activity. 
• Being prone to injury. Muscle injuries are more common in people who do not warm up or cool down properly after exercising. 
• Experiencing aches and pains. Stretching improves your blood flow, so you may notice you are more prone to muscle aches in your body, particularly after exercising.
• Poor posture while standing, sitting, or moving.

Flexibility, among other things, can improve posture. Click here for some other tips on improving your posture.

Top 6 benefits of increasing flexibility include:

1. Mobility. Particularly as people get older, mobility becomes increasingly important to maintain. 
2. Relief of stiffness and tension in your joints and muscles
3. Better muscle recovery after working out or exercising 
4. Decreased the likelihood of injury. If you are more flexible, your body is less likely to end up in a position past its range of motion, which is how most sports injuries occur. 
5. Improved balance. By stretching and aligning your body, you are likely to notice improvement in your balance. 
6. Overall wellbeing. Stretching is a relaxing activity, and the physical benefits often extend to benefits to your mental health.

Best easy stretches to add to your routine

It can be hard to change your routine. Try adding some simple stretches to your routine, whether it be when you first wake up in the morning, when you wind down before bed, or added to your exercise routine. You may notice that even minimal effort will have a big impact on your flexibility, and it will be worth trying to retain this within your routine. 

Some methods, or flexibility exercises, to improve flexibility include static stretching, dynamic stretching, foam rolling, and physical therapy. 

Some of the best muscles include the hamstring, hip flexor, neck and shoulders, and the lower back. The following static stretches are simple and easy to incorporate into your routine.

Hamstrings

Hamstrings are integral to many everyday activities, such as walking, running, and bending down. Stretching your hamstrings may also release some tightness in your lower back.

Hip Flexor

Hip flexors are key players in moving your legs, including everyday activities such as walking, sitting, standing up, and bending over. Your hip flexor muscles can also become very tight if you are sitting down for a long period of time, thus it is important to keep them flexible and moving. Regular stretching of the hip flexors can also help prevent injury.

Shoulders and Neck

Our neck and shoulders can become tight for a number of reasons, including holding stress and other tensions, and also become tight when sitting down at a desk for a lengthy period of time, or sleeping awkwardly.

Lower back 

One of the best stretches for the lower back is child’s pose, which is also an effective stretch for the knees, hips, and ankles. To get into this pose, sit on your knees, spread your knees anywhere from between being in line with your hips to as wide as a yoga mat, and then bend forward with your belly between your thighs and your head resting on the floor.

Hamstring stretches can also be great for the lower back.

How can City Physiotherapy Adelaide help with improving flexibility?

City Physio is dedicated to seeing you improve your wellbeing. Our experienced physiotherapists can perform a flexibility assessment as well as design a program of exercises and stretches tailored and targeted to improve your flexibility in the areas you need it most. 

Call our friendly reception on 8212 4886, or click the book online button below for a same-day appointment.

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