Get your stretch on!
The bread and butter of vet physio is manual therapy –
massage, stretches and exercise prescription.
I’m planning to write a blog on each, giving a brief
overview of what they are, and why they’re so helpful!
I’ll try my best to make it interesting, I promise!
So, why are stretches so important?
There’s plenty of science-based evidence of what stretching
will do for soft tissues, and how beneficial it is.
The key benefits include:
-
Pain reduction
-
Releases tension in muscles
-
Increases extensibility
-
Improves range of motion
-
Improves posture
-
Improves performance
The best thing is these benefits are so simple to achieve –
stretches take minutes to perform and are easy to teach.
The key is consistency and form.
For example, carrot stretches for horses simply involve
encouraging the horse’s nose towards the withers, elbow or fetlock on each side.
A simple movement, but when done consistently after exercise
it can:
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Improve suppleness throughout the neck and back.
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Supporting correct posture of the back.
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Improving the ability to bend.
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Encourages core engagement
More info can be found at: https://www.horsesinsideout.com/post/pilates-for-horses-part-1-carrot-exercises
Just as a side note – ‘Horses inside out’ create incredible
images and learning tools for owners and professionals – definitely have a
look!
So, how can stretches be so effective when they’re so simple?
When a muscle is stretched to its limit (slowly), something
called the stretch reflex is triggered by the muscle spindle.
This causes the muscle to contract to prevent over extension
and injury.
By holding the stretch, this allows the muscle spindle to
adapt to the new length, calming this reflex.
Low-load, gentle stretching is best for changing muscle
properties and lengthening tissues.
Stretches should be held for 10-30 seconds and repeated 2-4
times.
Lengthening muscle reduces the tension that the muscle is
holding.
It will also increase flexibility over time.
Longer, and more flexible muscle forms a good base to build
strength as the muscle is performing optimally.
It’s very important to be slow and gentle when introducing
stretches.
Stretching too quickly, long, or when the muscle is not
warmed up can actually cause injury rather than prevent it.
This is due to the stretch reflex not engaging properly (or
at all!) and resulting in damage to the muscle.
Stretching before exercise can also desensitize the muscle spindles
and inhibit their role with the stretch reflex.
Reducing their sensitivity can hinder the muscle's ability
to contract powerfully.
The temporary changes in the muscle's viscoelasticity after
static stretching can make it less efficient at storing and releasing energy
needed for explosive movements.
Cooey! That was a lot of science in one go!
But I hope that gives a bit of an explanation as to why its
important to think about when you’re stretching, rather than just the act of
stretching itself.
The stretching I’ve been referring to today has been static
stretching – stretching whilst still, or only stretching one body part at a
time.
There is also dynamic stretching, which is much different,
and can be used as part of a warmup & cool down.
Which brings me nicely onto what my next blog will be on! –
The importance of a good warm up and cool down.
I hope this blog gave you a nice idea of what stretching is,
and how it benefits the body!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog.
I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments about
topics you’d like me to write about, or any suggestions to improve my blogs.
For any other information, or to book a veterinary
physiotherapy appointment, please contact me directly.
All the best,
Emma, The Biomechanic.
BSc(Hons), FdSc, MIRVAP, RAMP
07861195709
emma@the-biomechanic.co.uk
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