S2 MSS 01: Why Stretching Is Bad

Why do we think that stretching could solve our problems? 

Very rarely does someone get better by doing a certain stretch. 

Don’t get me wrong. 

I am NOT against stretching. In fact, stretching can be good for us when it is done correctly and mindfully. 

We are just trying to stretch a certain area that feels tight and thinking that if we stretch enough then that tight muscle will loosen up. Right? Well, it isn’t true! 

Static stretching before exercise can cause damage to the tissue. You’re inhibiting nerve contraction, so it’s not going to fire as quickly to tell the muscle to contract and perform.

If a muscle is tight then there is a good chance that it is also weak and that is where the problem lies. A weak muscle will tighten up to try and create stability then it will cause discomfort and a lot of times pain because it never releases. 

Back pain will never get better by stretching the back, and shoulder pain will never get better by stretching the shoulder. And hip pain will never get better by stretching the hips. 

For instance. Knowing you have tight hip flexors is one thing. Knowing how to fix tight hip flexors is another challenge altogether. I know right! Isn’t this common sense? Mhmhm not at all! 

First of all, hip flexors is a hard area to reach. If you see how the psoas is attached within your body, it’s buried deep inside your core making it too tough to access. It’s a hard muscle to find, let alone train so it’s no surprise it requires more than a simple static hip flexor stretch to fix it. 

Sorry to burst your bubble - no amount of stretching is going to help you! 

Allow me to give you 3 specific movements beyond simple static stretching you can use to unlock and loosen your hips, legs and back. 

1. Dynamic stretching examples are high knees, butt kicks or travelling lunges. Why? Cos you are activating the muscle around a joint and moving that joint through its full range of motion in a progressive manner. This leads to an increased range of motion, warming up of the muscle around the joint and improved circulation around the joint. 
2. Mobility exercises are movements from one point to another. You are helping the joint function optimally which allows a joint to move more freely. 
3. 3D core stability exercises target the muscle in all planes of movement so the core and abdominal muscles have good activation, endurance and strength in all planes of movement. This leads to a decrease in unnecessary damaging stress on joints. 

Now that you know what is effective, it is important to do the movements in the right order as this unravels all the tissues including muscle, fascia, connective tissue, and the joint capsule while breaking up scar tissue. 

So in summary, dynamic stretch and strengthen is when the magic happens. 

In my next episode I will cover the types of stretches to do and NOT to do before running so pls subscribe to my podcast for new episode notification. 

If you would like to know more about movement and mobility program, please visit my website at www.coachanywhere.fitness to schedule a discovery call with me. 

Till then, stay safe and move smart.

Love you 

Coach Karen