Ep. 134: What’s The Deal with Stretching?
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The debate has been going on for years: while some swear by the benefits of a stretching routine, others will say there is little to no point. What does the research say, and how much of a difference could a stretching routine make on our range of motion and physical health as we age? Can you use stretching to help heal an injury, or prevent future injuries? What sort of stretches should you be doing on a daily basis, if any? Here, Medcan’s Dr. Andrew Miners talks to physiotherapist and chiropractor Dr. Greg Lehman, a global expert on movement and flexibility. Learn what’s happening in your body when you stretch, how to know which stretches are right for you, and how to use stretching to improve your flexibility over time.
LINKS
If you’d like to learn more about the biology behind stretching, listen to the Huberman Lab podcast episode: Improve Flexibility with Research-Supported Stretching Protocols
Read some scientific research about stretching that is mentioned by Dr. Lehman in this episode:
Adaptations in the passive mechanical properties of skeletal muscle to altered patterns of use in the May 2019 issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology
Acute effects of muscle stretching on physical performance, range of motion, and injury incidence in healthy active individuals: a systematic review in the December 2015 issue of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism
The Relation Between Stretching Typology and Stretching Duration: The Effects on Range of Motion in the International Journal of Sports Medicine
Why is everyone stretching? in the New York Times.
Check out Dr. Lehman’s blog, Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science.
INSIGHTS
Who is Dr. Greg Lehman, and what is it about stretching and flexibility that he finds so interesting? [3:28]
What’s happening when our bodies feel stiff, and why are some people more flexible than others? [5:38]
What are the different kinds of stretching, and how they are different? [7:35]
How does regular stretching help improve our range of motion? [9:04]
Dr. Lehman and Dr. Miners debunk the common myth that you shouldn’t do static stretching before physical activity. [14:04]
How does one figure out which stretches they should be doing? [17:12]
People tend to get less mobile as we age. What’s really happening there, and can stretching stop it? [20:04]
How to start stretching on a regular basis, safely and effectively. [21:05]
Does stretching help with chronic pain? [22:43]
Will stretching before working out help to prevent an injury? [26:55]
*LEGAL
This podcast episode is intended to provide general information about health and wellness only and is not designed, or intended to constitute, or be used as a substitute for, medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. You should always talk to your Medcan health care provider for individual medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, including your specific health and wellness needs.
The podcast is based on the information available at the time of preparation and is only accurate and current as of that date. Source information and recommendations are subject to change based on scientific evidence as it evolves over time. Medcan is not responsible for future changes or updates to the information and recommendations, and assumes no obligation to update based on future developments.
Reference to, or mention of, specific treatments or therapies, does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement. The links provided within the associated document are to assist the reader with the specific information highlighted. Any third-party links are not endorsed by Medcan.