Top Benefits of Stretching Exercises for Seniors (and How to Get Started)
Since performing daily activities requires mobility, people need to stay limber and flexible as they age. It doesn’t matter if a task involves reaching to get something from the top shelf or bending down to pick up the grocery bags – unless the person has enough flexibility, the risk of injury is very high. For this reason, experts advise seniors to experience regular practitioner-assisted stretch sessions to improve their mobility and performance.
Benefits of Stretching Exercises For Seniors
As we age, our range of motion deteriorates, and our muscles and joints lose their strength. For this reason, it can be extremely challenging for older adults to maintain their mobility. This is why senior stretching exercises are so important.
It Reduces Low Back Pain and Arthritis
With regular assisted stretching exercises, older adults can steer clear of aches and pains that may be caused by spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis. Assisted stretching can help manage the pain and discomfort that both conditions cause. With the right stretching equipment and a skilled practitioner to help them address the stiffness in their afflicted joints, their range of motion, flexibility, and elasticity will improve.
It Improves Flexibility
As people age, their muscles and tissues naturally stiffen, leading to less flexible joints and a reduced range of motion. Regular stretching as a senior helps keep your muscles long and flexible, so your joints can move more easily and prevent stiffness. The more flexible you are as you age, the easier movement will be – also meaning you’ll experience less pain.
It Reduces their Risk of Falling
Did you know that one out of three older adults falls every year? Furthermore, 2.5 million of them would require emergency treatment. However, if seniors make it a point to stretch with the help of an experienced practitioner regularly, they’ll reduce their chances of suffering a fall. Stretching improves the strength of their hip joints and the flexibility of their quadriceps, hamstrings, and lower back.
It Improves Their Posture
Aging causes the body’s ligaments and tendons in the chest and shoulders to lose their elasticity and flexibility. As a result, seniors tend to have a forward head posture with rounded upper back and shoulders, as well as forward pressing hips. However, poor posture can be corrected by regular stretching sessions with a practitioner who can loosen these tight ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
It Increases Energy Levels
Stretching promotes proper circulation of blood and nutrients throughout the body. This would allow the body to have more energy for independent movement.
Our Best Stretching Tips For Seniors
It’s all well and good knowing that you should be stretching, but how do you actually stretch safely? Our experts have put together this short guide to help you prep for stretching correctly.
Warm Up Your Muscles Before You Stretch
You can effectively warm up your muscles by taking a quick walk or using light weights. Doing a warm-up before your stretching session will help you steer clear of possible injuries.
Don’t Stretch Too Far
Doing your stretches alone may cause you to stretch too far. When you’re working with a certified and experienced stretch practitioner, you won’t run the risk of doing so, and you’ll get a much deeper stretch than when you do it on your own.
During each session, you’ll be able to communicate with the therapist as your muscles are being positioned, stabilized, isolated, and manipulated in a purposeful order. You shouldn’t feel a stabbing pain as your tight muscles are being loosened up.
Learn to Relax and Breathe While You Stretch
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t be holding your breath while you’re stretching. It’s best to breathe into each movement because doing so will help you push yourself farther with every single breath.
You can easily do this with assisted stretching because you’ll be able to focus more on your breathing as the therapist manipulates your muscles and handles the heavy lifting.
Avoid Bouncing
Bouncing to try and push yourself deeper into a stretch might feel helpful, but it actually makes your muscles tighten up. Assisted stretching takes the pressure off—you’ll move gradually and steadily, allowing your body to relax into the stretch. You don’t need to push yourself to feel the benefit, because you could actually be causing more harm than good.
Is Stretching Good For Seniors?
Not only can it be hard to motivate yourself to stretch, but it’s sometimes difficult to know if you’re doing it right. There are so many health benefits of stretching as you grow older.
Experience the benefits of practitioner-assisted stretching at one of our Stretch Zone studios to ensure you age gracefully and flexibly. Book your free 30-minute session today.
