Have you ever noticed how you are stiff and not very flexible when you get out of bed in the morning? Why does that stiffness go away during the day? By simply using your muscles you increase flexibility. When you use your muscles to walk or get up out of the chair, your flexibility improves.
Your flexibility can also be increased by taking a hot shower or bath. Warmer muscle tissue stretches easier. One may ask if you are ever too old to stretch and get flexible. As you age, you lose flexibility and range of motion becomes restricted. When this happens, the older person may be afraid that stretching will lead to injury. This immobility may also influence one to limit their ability to climb stairs or walking because they may be afraid of falling.
Fortunately, inflexibility can be reversed! Many studies have found that regardless of age, most anyone can improve flexibility by participating in a stretching routine.
I’m Steve Taylor, Physical Therapist of Southern Physical and Occupational Therapy Services
Moving You To A Pain-Free Lifestyle
