Ever wondered what daily stretching can do for you and your body? Medical experts and physiologists agree that consistent and regular stretching can go a long way to preventing muscle pulls, maintaining and increasing flexibility, and do wonders for your overall health. A recent article from Harvard Medical School stated that “regular stretching keeps muscles long, lean, and flexible and this means that exertion won’t put too much force on the muscle itself.” It goes without saying that our muscles are the subject of use and abuse due to repetition, poor posture, and over exertion. Generally, they can handle the stress we put them through but like everything, they do have a limit.

Even mild gentle stretching, if done regularly, will allow our muscles as well as other tissues to move through a greater range of motion, support our structure and permit full function. Furthermore, it’s not necessary to stretch every muscle and joint in your body all the time. This can be overwhelming and somewhat discouraging to many. Experts suggest that we focus on a few key areas such as the neck, the lower back, the hips and glutes as well as the hamstrings. These areas are most commonly subject to tightening and static loading therefore can benefit the most from regular stretching.

You’d be surprised how a little stretching every day can go a long way to helping your body function at its best!