05/03/2024
The last few years, especially in towns across the northeast, have you noticed these “Stretch Labs” popping up? If you haven’t noticed one may be coming to your town soon.
I workout at Lifetime in Harrison and they now offer “dynamic” stretching. So people and corporations are trying to capitalize on the stretching phenomenon.
Stretching has become a controversial topic because the experts opinions, and data, differ greatly from public opinion. So most research has shown that you’d be better off focusing on cardio combined with weight training. Before performing any exercise a warm-up will give you the most benefit as opposed to the various stretching techniques.
So I have been asked repeatedly my view on these stretch labs and stretching “tight” muscles. First question should be “why” is my muscle(s) tight?? If you can’t answer that then why stretch it? The tight muscle can easily be a compensation and if you remove that then you can create a cascade of neuromuscular events. An example can be further irritating the sciatic nerve at the piriformis or proximal hamstring by stretching.
27 years in practice, I believe the cause must be found first then treated accordingly. If you fix the cause then the symptoms will disappear. So if all you want to do is stretch the tight muscle I feel you are not doing your due diligence.
Thank you and I’m stepping off my soap box now 😁
