Good Stretch ? Bad Stretch ? Is Stretching Dangerous ?
Brad Walker | stretchcoach . com
Learn how to decide which stretches are safe or unsafe for you .
I ’ ve had a few inquiries lately about which stretches are good and which stretches are bad . In most cases someone has told the inquirer that they shouldn ’ t do this stretch or that stretch , or that this is an unsafe stretch .
Some people have seen stretches on my website and emailed me ( out of genuine concern ) to say that this is a dangerous stretch because their coach , trainer or friend told them so .
So , is stretching dangerous ?
First , a warning !
Stretching , just like any other form of exercise , can be extremely dangerous and harmful if performed incorrectly or recklessly . There are , most definitely , several common stretching mistakes that you should avoid . But the same can be said for any type of exercise or fitness activity .
So , are there only good stretches and bad stretches ? Let ’ s put an end to the confusion once and for all …
There is no such thing as a good stretch or bad stretch
Just as there are no good or bad exercises , there are no good or bad stretches ; only what is appropriate for the specific requirements of the individual . So , a stretch that is perfectly okay for me , may not be okay for you or someone else .
Let me give you an example . You wouldn ’ t ask someone with a shoulder injury to do push-ups or freestyle swimming , but that doesn ’ t mean that these are bad exercises .
Now , consider the same scenario from a stretching point of view . You wouldn ’ t ask that same person to do shoulder stretches , would you ? But that doesn ’ t mean that all shoulder stretches are bad .
The stretch itself isn ’ t good or bad , it ’ s the way it ’ s performed and who it ’ s performed on that makes it effective and safe , or ineffective and harmful .
To place a particular stretch into a category of “ Good ” or “ Bad ” is foolish and potentially harmful . To label a stretch as “ Good ” gives people the impression that they can do that stretch whenever and however they want , and it won ’ t cause them any problems . The specific requirements of the individual are what ’ s important !
Remember , stretches are neither good nor bad . Just like a motor vehicle , it ’ s what you do with it that makes it good or bad . However , when choosing a stretch there are several precautions and “ checks ” you need to perform before giving that stretch the okay .
Make a general review of the individual
Are they healthy and physically active , or have they been leading a sedentary lifestyle for the past 5 years ? Are they a professional athlete ? Are they recovering from a serious injury ? Do they have aches , pains or muscle and joint stiffness in any area of their body ?
Make a specific review of the area , or muscle group , to be stretched .
Are the muscles healthy ? Is there any damage to the joints , ligaments , tendons , etc ? Has the area been injured recently , or is it still recovering from an injury ?
24 | vol31 | no1 | JATMS