The Benefits of Chiropractic Care and Stretching

Before you go to work out, do you take the time to stretch? Do you stretch after your workout? Stretching is an integral part of the exercising process for your body. It needs it in order to wake up the muscles you’ll need for movement, but it also cools you down and helps to prevent lactic acid build-up—the stuff that makes us sore after a good workout. It’s so important to our body development that there are entire genres of exercise centered just around stretching and body weight. Yoga is the most famous of these, although gymnastics is a close relative. There are huge benefits of stretching for everyone, yogi or not. Here’s how chiropractic and stretching can benefit your body.

Chiropractic Care and Stretches

Chiropractic care works by giving your body an added adjustment to its current state. This is done by returning your spine to a neutral state, and in the process, you will find pain relief, stress and anxiety reductions, weight loss, and even some help for your allergies. Adding stretches will greatly impact chiropractic results and provide lasting power to your spinal adjustment. Stretches can be done anywhere, and since they have the power to readjust your muscles into their correct positions, it is important that you stretch after heavy or repeated use of a muscle group. This will help to keep your body on track and without pain.

Suggested Stretching Exercises

You don’t need to be a devoted yogi to practice good stretching. Often, the benefits of stretching continue long after the stretch is done, so doing these at least once a day is a good place to start.

Downward Dog: One of the most commonly recognized poses in the world, this stretch will relieve back pain and help with loosening your shoulders and hips. Begin with your knees and hands on the ground. Push up with your butt and try to get into an inverted V. Keep your head between your shoulders and breath while focusing on lengthening your spine.

Child’s Pose: This stretch is often considered not a stretch at all because it feels so good! This is a great shoulder opener and is often used between difficult positions because of its relaxing qualities. Put your knees and hands on the ground, then sit back onto your feet. Stretch your arms as far out as you can in front of you, but keep them on the ground.

Bridge Pose: One of the best options to relieve back pain, this pose is done across disciplines—weightlifters also use it with heavy weights to work out their glutes. Begin laying flat on the floor with your hands palm down. Move your knees upwards so that your feet are flat and reach your arms either towards your ankles or under your butt to open your shoulders. Then, lift your pelvis into the air and hold before releasing.

To find out more about stretching exercises that will help find you pain relief at home, give us a call. Livingston County Chiropractic Center has been honored to provide chiropractic care to Pontiac for 15 years, and we are excited to continue that tradition. Contact us today.

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