I know you don’t stretch enough

You are in the middle of a massage, and you notice a tight spot you didn’t catch before, because quite frankly, you were ignoring it. You had more important things to focus on, and we get it. That’s not going to stop the massage therapist from saying, hmmm. Then asking, “How do you stretch?” We already know what your answer will be; we want you to be honest with yourself.

You’re going to dance around the answer and say something along the lines of, “Not enough,” or, “Not as much as I should.” We will then suggest that you should stretch more, at least five minutes a day.

We harp you about stretching not just because it’s part of our job, but because we understand the benefits of it.

The benefits of stretching

• Improved flexibility
• Increased range of motion
• Decreased muscle soreness
• Improves performance in physical activities
• Increases blood flow to muscles
• Improves posture
• Heals and prevents back pain
• Stress relief and lowered anxiety
• Decrease tension headaches

While massage is excellent for loosening muscle, helping you relax and break down old stubborn trigger points is not all you need. The massage itself is supplemental to everything else you do. If you are not stretching, your muscles will not stay loose and relaxed.

Would you like more information about stretching? Check out these links from mayoclinic.com and Harvard clinic:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/stretching/art-20047931

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching

If you would like additional help starting your stretching regimen you can always add assisted stretching to your massage. This enhancement adds an additional 15 minutes to your session where your massage therapist focuses on stretching your tightest muscles.

If you are interested in this enhancement you can add it on to your next massage by texting 480-359-7452.