The Importance of Stretching Your Hamstrings in the Summer

The summertime inspires people to get outside and make the most of the good weather whether it be going on walks, late-night swims, barbequing for the family, or watching sports games in those uncomfortable bleachers. This increased activity can take a toll on your hamstrings if you do not make sure to properly stretch regularly. At Within Normal Limits physical therapy in copiague NY we want to make sure you can continue to stay active and enjoy your summer without any extra pain.

The Importance of Hamstrings

The hamstrings are the muscles that allow you to bend your knees and move your hips. If they were to become tight from overuse you would feel discomfort when sitting, standing up, and attempting to perform everyday activities. Keeping healthy hamstrings is important because:

They allow you to jump, walk, and run.
The hamstrings connect your back to your knees making it so that an injury to them would affect other parts of your body.
A sudden increase in activity without stretching puts stress on the muscles and increases the likelihood of an injury resulting in a potential need for physical therapy in copiague NY.

Benefits of Regular Hamstring Stretching

By adding hamstring stretches into your routine you would be decreasing your chance of damage to your muscles and body pain that would have to be fixed through physical therapy in copiague NY Long Island. Some more benefits of regular stretching are:

Improved flexibility: by stretching regularly your joints and muscles will have an increased range of motion making movements that once could be strenuous and painful easier.
Reduced risk of injury: stretching minimizes the chance of you spraining or straining your hamstring.
Back pain relief: Tight hamstrings can cause poor and painful posture if the overuse has caused them to pull down your pelvis causing your spine to shift.

Within Normal Limits Physical Therapy in Copiague NY

As you can see there are many benefits to regular stretching when you are beginning to become more active at once. If you would like more information about stretches and physical therapy in copiague NY please schedule an appointment with Within Normal Limits Long Island.