Answers (12)
0
Hi Nancy,
for every joint, there is a need for both stability and mobility. When somebody has normal range of motion, yet continues to (literally) stretch the limits, particularly with passive stretches, this can destabilize a joint.
There are even some schools of thought that say that there is no need to stretch at all when you take joints through active ranges of motion during exercise.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
for every joint, there is a need for both stability and mobility. When somebody has normal range of motion, yet continues to (literally) stretch the limits, particularly with passive stretches, this can destabilize a joint.
There are even some schools of thought that say that there is no need to stretch at all when you take joints through active ranges of motion during exercise.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
0
Lots of controversy around stretching these days
I'm certain that if you go to the article tab above you will be able to find this topic discussed.
I'm certain that if you go to the article tab above you will be able to find this topic discussed.
0
I personally don't recommend stretching to my clients, but I leave up to them if they want to do some. I agree with Karin and as Susan said there is a of controversy around stretching with many schools of thought out there. I also believe that stretching is up to the individual and not "one size fits all" approach.
0
I think the question is a bit broad. Do you mean stretching too far, or stretching too often, or holding the stretches too long?
Broadly speaking I agreed with Karin here.
Aristotle talked about the golden mean“. for example self starvation is bad, as is gluttony. The same is true with the stability/mobility equation. Even in yoga, which a lot of people equate with 'stretching' the discipline is as concerned with strength and stability as it is with flexibility. There will always be those who are attracted to the extremes (what I call the Xtreme Goldfish phenomenon), but health and wellness generally rides between those extremes.
Broadly speaking I agreed with Karin here.
Aristotle talked about the golden mean“. for example self starvation is bad, as is gluttony. The same is true with the stability/mobility equation. Even in yoga, which a lot of people equate with 'stretching' the discipline is as concerned with strength and stability as it is with flexibility. There will always be those who are attracted to the extremes (what I call the Xtreme Goldfish phenomenon), but health and wellness generally rides between those extremes.
0
Thanks Adradne. I am concerned with clients who want to stretch out too often I.e. When the lumbar spine has been irritated and stretching is overused ( I suspect) to try and resolve the discomfort. My concern is that over stretching may further destabilize the lumbar and not add to the healing. Ie with use of ice or heat. As our clients do look to us for advice I want to suggest best practice that is both useful and safe.
0
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA NANCY. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN CONTROVERSY ABOUT STRETCHING. TO SOLVE MY OWN QUESTION MANY YEARS AGO, I WATCHED THE ANIMALS. tHE DOG ALWAY STRETCHES WHEN HE IS LAYING DOWN FOR A TIME AND, STANDS UP. SO DO MANY OTHER ANIMALS. BUT, THEY DO NOT KEEP STRETCHING A CERTAIN AREA. AND, WHEN THEY RUN, THEY DO NOT STRETCH AFTERWARDS. THEY PLOP DOWN. JUST MY OWN LITTLE STUDY. GOOD LUCK BRIAN ROZZI.
0
Hi Nancy,
There over stretching can occur when the movement or action focusing more on the insertion point or joint rather then the belly of the muscle (i.e. straight leg versus bent leg hamstring stretches). When we are taking about the lumbar, decompression or lengthening through the use of pelvic anchoring and muscular breath work is much more effective then stretching. Also, lengthening of the lumbar spine in conjunction with the rest of the posterior chain will lengthen AND stabilize.
During acute strain or injury stretching can further irritate and prolong healing cycle.
Myofacial release is a very important part of maintaining proper muscular length and effectiveness.
I HIGHLY recommend you look at www.foundationtraining.com. Their program focuses on effective length of musculature and joints combined with proper effective tension of muscle and joints. Not just flexibility. There is also a lot of emphasis on lumbar stability and decompression. It has changed the life of clients and myself.
www.foundationtraining.com
Hope this helps,
Sean Yeager-Diamond
There over stretching can occur when the movement or action focusing more on the insertion point or joint rather then the belly of the muscle (i.e. straight leg versus bent leg hamstring stretches). When we are taking about the lumbar, decompression or lengthening through the use of pelvic anchoring and muscular breath work is much more effective then stretching. Also, lengthening of the lumbar spine in conjunction with the rest of the posterior chain will lengthen AND stabilize.
During acute strain or injury stretching can further irritate and prolong healing cycle.
Myofacial release is a very important part of maintaining proper muscular length and effectiveness.
I HIGHLY recommend you look at www.foundationtraining.com. Their program focuses on effective length of musculature and joints combined with proper effective tension of muscle and joints. Not just flexibility. There is also a lot of emphasis on lumbar stability and decompression. It has changed the life of clients and myself.
www.foundationtraining.com
Hope this helps,
Sean Yeager-Diamond
0
I second Sean's recommendation of Foundation Training. I have no disc at S1/L5 and a compressed disc at L3/L4. I experienced tremendous relief of years of chronic lumbar pain within three weeks of daily Foundation Training, which I have continued to practice daily a.m. over the past two years. One strengthens and lengthens simultaneously in this method.
0
Stretching should be done for one of two reasons. One is to improve poor range of motion. The other is for specific ROM needs.
If a person is habitually tight in a particular muscle group or around a particular joint, stretching to achieve a proper ROM is wise and will help with ADL and reduce injury in and aroung that joint.
If a person has a need for a greater than average ROM, they would use stretching to achieve that ROM. As in the case of a gymnast, swimmer, etc. or for certain occupations with a specific task that requires a greater ROM.
It is possible to exceed a reasonable ROM while stretching. This is not adivsed. Joint laxity can also lead to injury.
If a person is habitually tight in a particular muscle group or around a particular joint, stretching to achieve a proper ROM is wise and will help with ADL and reduce injury in and aroung that joint.
If a person has a need for a greater than average ROM, they would use stretching to achieve that ROM. As in the case of a gymnast, swimmer, etc. or for certain occupations with a specific task that requires a greater ROM.
It is possible to exceed a reasonable ROM while stretching. This is not adivsed. Joint laxity can also lead to injury.
0
I would only add to Martin's recommendation that stretching can lead to a relaxation response. I recommend stretching exercise following a warm-up, to increase the temperature in the soft tissues associated with the target muscle(s). And, yes, I do agree with those who suggest that over-stretching can be a factor in joint laxity.
0
And as a follow up, anything done to excess is not good. You can stretch too much, lift too much, run too much. Also, stretching should never cause pain in uninjured areas. And stretching an injured area should be cleared with a physician or physical therapist with recommendations for ROM of specific stretching exercises and the level of discomfort that is acceptable. In general, I recommend that any pain is a reason to stop the stretch in question and consult a professional as to continuing the stretch.
0
And as to the "multiple shools of thought" on stretching, most are not schools at all. There is a lot of confusion because most fitness professionals don't have the time to read all the research and data coming out of the exercise science studies. Many of us depend on summaries, which isn't a bad thing. But that leaves out a lot of information that would give you the opportunity to decide things like how well the study was designed, how large the study population was, over how long a period the study ran, etc. In the case of the stretching "controversy", I have not come across a solid study that suggested that stretching was pointless or unnecessary. There have been studies suggesting that stretching for improved long term ROM (what is commonly referred to as flexibility) led to diminished capacity to perform when the stretching was done prior to certain forms of exercise like strength training. But it has been known for a long time that stretching for improved flexibility was better done at the end of an exercise session. Stretching before or during an exercise session (or competition event) should be done to allow the ROM that is required for the activity. That is, if you are doing squats and feel tightness/discomfort when reachng the end point of the ROM for your squat, you would stretch enough to alleviate this from occuring. And if you could not alleviate the issue, you should not continue to perform the squat at that time. I could continue this discussion, but if you are still unsure as to what I am talking about, you can contact me through my website or profile. www.hawaiifitnessacademy.com .
Add Answer
Related Questions
1 Person is Following this Question
Find a Personal Trainer
