| Millions of people suffer from muscle tightness, lower | | | | Atlas. "You don't have to become a yoga nut or a |
| back ache and general stiffness. A series of simple, full | | | | Pilates addict. You can do your stretching while |
| body, stretching exercises can cure a tight lower back, | | | | watching TV." |
| relieve physical and mental stress, loosen up stiff legs | | | | These six stretching exercise strategies will help you |
| and improve full body flexibility. | | | | get and stay flexible: |
| Lower back stiffness and pain, tightness in the neck | | | | Ease into a stretching program whether you've been |
| and shoulders, general muscle aches and tight leg | | | | exercising regularly or not. Don't force the stretches - |
| muscles are conditions that affect millions of people, | | | | stay in a comfortable range of motion. |
| from sedentary couch potatoes to elite athletes. The | | | | Stay consistent. Three to five stretching exercise |
| National Center for Health Statistics reports that 14% | | | | sessions per week is ideal. Every day is fine also - and |
| of new patient visits to physician offices | | | | you don't always have to do the same stretch |
| (approximately 13 million annually) are for complaints of | | | | program |
| low back pain and lower body stiffness. In fact, an | | | | If you feel pain, stop! Slight discomfort is fine, but pain is |
| estimated 18% of the population has debilitating back | | | | not. Don't do a stretch if it hurts. Consult with your |
| pain at any given time. Lack of a proper stretching | | | | physician if you are uncertain as to whether or not a |
| exercise program is a primary factor in most of these | | | | certain stretch is appropriate for you. |
| cases | | | | The best stretching exercises do not require |
| "When we estimate the number of people that don't | | | | expensive equipment or elaborate devices. You can |
| bother to go to the doctor or seek traditional | | | | increase your flexibility with stretches that can de done |
| treatment, such as physical therapy, the number is | | | | on a mat with the assistance of a towel a belt of a |
| probably double and most likely higher. The amazing | | | | piece of rope. |
| thing is most of these can be fixed with a series of | | | | If you don't know how to stretch, hire a fitness |
| simple stretching exercises for the whole body." claims | | | | professional who is trained in flexibility conditioning or |
| Exercise Physiologist, Joey Atlas. | | | | invest in a few good stretching exercise videos. You |
| Avoidance of stretching exercises, lack of knowledge | | | | are investing in your health and fitness, don't |
| regarding specific stretches and limited flexibility are | | | | short-change your self. |
| three causes of the lower back pain epidemic and | | | | Do your stretching exercises first thing in the morning |
| overall body stiffness and muscle tightness. The | | | | and just before bed if you can - these seem to be the |
| biggest complaint from many sufferers is the challenge | | | | times that yield best results for people who need |
| of waking up to morning stiffness and backache on a | | | | flexibility the most |
| daily basis, with some days being worse than others | | | | Lack of full body flexibility can result in chronic |
| depending on previous day's activities and overnight | | | | symptoms, and even injury, for people in any age |
| sleeping position. Improving range of motion with a well | | | | range. A safe stretching exercise program can be |
| defined stretch program can go a long way in relieving | | | | performed daily in as little as ten minutes or in an hour, |
| most of these symptoms. | | | | if you have the time. The most effective and simple |
| "Flexibility is the most underestimated and | | | | stretching exercises can be done by children as young |
| misunderstood element of health and fitness. The right | | | | as 3 and 4 years old - and the same flexibility |
| stretches, done three times per week would literally | | | | exercises can also be safely performed by people in |
| wipe out the vast majority of lower back aches. It's no | | | | their seventies. |
| surprise that so many people are clueless about this, | | | | Have you done your stretches today? |
| most personal trainers don't even know." said Joey | | | | |