When & How Should I be Stretching?

Share via:

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email

Written by: Sasha Guay, Registered Physiotherapist, MSc(PT)

 

Do you remember standing in a circle before a game counting as a team to 10 as you stretched various muscles? Turns out, as fun as that may be, it may not be the best way to prepare our body for activity and here’s why.

Check out our post from May 5th for warm up ideas. These are variety of DYNAMIC stretches.

STATIC stretches however, are to be done AFTER activity. Never before. Some research is showing that this type of stretching is great at elongating the muscle, however this effect can last for several hours, which reduces the muscles ability to quickly contract and produce power. This therefore reduces our strength and can potentially increase our chance of injury.

Comment below if you have any questions about whats best for you with warm up and/or cool down and if you have any other posts you’d like for us to cover!

Sasha Guay GRSM physiotherapist kitchener
Sasha Guay, MSc(PT)
Registered Physiotherapist

Jay graduated from McMaster University in 2011 with a Masters of Physiotherapy. His previous education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology in 2009 from Western University. Jason has obtained his FCAMPT (Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Physiotherapy) designation. This designation is internationally recognized, and follows a comprehensive post-graduate training program that solidifies manual therapy skills, teaches advanced clinical reasoning, and allows him to perform spinal manipulation. Jay is also certified in Integrative Dry Needling, which he uses to release muscular restrictions throughout in the body. Jay is also a Certified Personal Trainer with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP-CPT). He enjoys working with high level athletes, especially towards the later stages of their rehab as they approach return to sport. In addition to this, Jay is a certified Sport First Responder, and former team physiotherapist for the Guelph Gryphon’s Men’s Varsity Rugby team. Jay is also certified in ImPACT Concussion Management, and is a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Specialist.

In his spare time, Jay enjoys rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and spending time with friends and family.

You May also be interested in these Related Articles:

Headaches With Eye Movement?

Are you experiencing headaches with things like reading or computer tasks? It might be because of small muscles in your neck? Check out this quick tip to learn more!

Read More »

The Power of Strengthening

This patient came in with a painful and disturbing clunking sensation while reaching overhead. With his consistency you can see his progress through his injury rehabilitation.

Read More »

Stay Connected

Contact US

Scroll to Top