Published on March 20, 2025

Why Stretching Daily is Important

woman stretching

For countless Americans, hours spent sitting at desks, hunching over phones, or cramming into cars result in poor posture and tight muscles. Incorporating daily stretches can help to alleviate the built-up muscle tension and discomfort that arises from these everyday activities.

Understanding Stretching

Stretching is an activity that is important for everyone to participate in, not just athletes. Our muscles rely on flexibility to sustain a proper range of motion in our joints. Stretching encourages flexibility in the muscle, lessening the risk of injury from sudden activity. There are two main types of stretching, dynamic and static.  

Dynamic

Dynamic stretching involves fluid, repetitive movements that engage certain muscles of the body. The range of motion from this type of stretching warms up the muscles, preparing them for activity. Dynamic stretching should be used to:

  • Warm up before an activity
  • Maintain good posture

Static

Static stretching involves lengthening a muscle, so it is fully extended, and holding that position for 20 to 60 seconds. This movement is designed to increase the range of motion and relax muscles. Static stretching is commonly used to:

  • Cool-down after an activity
  • Gain flexibility

Benefits of Daily Stretching

Maintaining muscle and joint health is crucial when it comes to healthy aging. One benefit of daily stretching is that it encourages muscle and joint health through movement. Faith Regional Physical Therapist, Erin Baumert, says “All-in-all, stretching is a great way to improve joint health by getting your joints through a full range of motion. Doing this daily helps to maintain mobility throughout your life.” Other benefits of daily stretching include:

  • Increased Flexibility
    • Repetitive movements, such as lengthening and contracting, from stretching help to create more flexibility within the muscles
  • Enhanced Joint Health
    • Stretching maintains the range of motions in the joints, crucial for mobility, especially with age.
  • Improved Posture
    • By increasing flexibility and joint health, stretching facilitates better body alignment and posture.
  • Reduced Inflammation
    • Stretching helps to release muscle tension, which in turn decreases the amount of inflammation in the body.
  • Decreased Chance of Injury
    • All the benefits from above contribute to the prevention of injuries in the muscles or joints.

How Do I Start Stretching Daily?

The best way to start stretching daily is to set up a stretching routine. Follow these steps to create your personalized routine.

  1. Create a list of static and dynamic stretches that target major muscle groups in the body.
  2. Choose a 5-10-minute slot per day that is dedicated specifically to stretching.
  3. Do a light warm-up, such as jogging in place, before stretching to avoid injury.
  4. Repeat stretches 2-4 times for the best results.

To get more information on what stretches would be the best fit for your routine or to schedule an appointment, contact Faith Regional Physical Therapy  at (402) 644-7396.

 

Sources: Erin Baumert, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, Central Ohio Spine & Joint, NASM, Harvard Health