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The Manual Touch Physical Therapy

Whole Body Approach

Reclaim movement, function and life
For information, call: 847-541-7600
or email: info@themanualtouch.com
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To Stretch or Not to Stretch?

January 28, 2020 By Denise Schwartz Leave a Comment

Rausch PT

The following is a guest post by Dr. Kevin Capata, PT, DPT, CSCS. This article first appeared on rauschpt.net.

I am really stiff and feel super tight! I should probably stretch more often or go to yoga or something right?!

The all too common question that I get on a daily basis. And the all too common answer that I give is: “IT DEPENDS!” Because honestly, it does, just depend.

After some studies showed that static and prolonged stretching may cause the nervous system to temporarily weaken the stretched muscle, many athletes and sports programs have eliminated it from their warm-up routines. However, little research has actually examined the performance effects of “dynamic stretching,” in which the limbs and joints stay in motion as you stretch.

A new study, which was published in June in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, a group of international scientists, many of whom work with elite, national-team athletes, decided to test different stretching routines.

Essentially what they found was that the group of athletes they tested had no change in performance whatsoever no matter what their warm-up had been. While this is only one study, what it provides testament to is exactly what I have been proclaiming… “IT DEPENDS”

In practical terms, these findings suggest that if you enjoy and trust stretching before a competition or workout, you may as well keep stretching, whether that is dynamic, static, or a combo of both. Some of the subjects of the study reported “feeling more prepared for competition when the stretching was included.” Thus, a psychological factor could also be at play, and a placebo is real people!

So, what does this really mean for you?

It means, if you feel better, you will then move better, which will allow you to get better and perform better! So, feeling stiff after sitting on your butt working all day (which c’mon people, read my blog and STOP doing that!.. Myth of the Ergonomic Workplace ) before you head out to run, you better do something to get yourself “warmed-up.” Personally and professionally as a practicing Physiotherapist, I believe in the theory of dynamic warm-ups prior to the activity and static/prolonged stretching post-workout. It gets your blood flowing, heart rate up, and allows your neuromuscular system to prime itself for the task at hand. With that said, there are days I need to just lay down, unwind, calm down and maybe hang out doing a hand to toe stretch to allow my nervous system to down-regulate and de-stress before “feeling” ready to go for my run or bike ride.

Rausch PTDr. Kevin Capata
PT, DPT, CSCS

The “Triathlon” PT.

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: competition, running, Stretching, warming up, workout

About Denise Schwartz

Denise Schwartz, PT, IMT, C is the owner of The Manual Touch Physical Therapy. For over 30 years, she has been helping patients reduce pain and improve quality of life using a whole body approach. Denise specializes in chronic pain, spinal conditions, running/triathlon injuries and prevention, balance/vestibular disorders, functional exercise, kinesiotaping, and various non-traditional and traditional & manual therapies. Contact Denise at denise@themanualtouch.com

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On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others was the pain-free freedom of movement I enjoyed, the product of an exercise focus on flexibility, stretching, balance and core strength. The great change in my workouts came when I approached Denise Schwartz at The Manual Touch in Wheeling to reh… Read more
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We believe all body systems and mental/emotional health are connected. We take a whole body approach to discover why patients are not healing and what were the initial causes of their current symptoms. 

Our mission is to use this whole body approach to help patients heal and overcome pain and limitations, resulting in improved quality of life. We also aim to promote wellness in our communities through ongoing education. 
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Testimonials

Michael is a 75 year old man seen for long standing IT band pain particularly while sleeping and climbing stairs. “Coming in I was in pain during the day.  With Denise’s help, I have less pain and more mobility.  Denise is terrific and very … Read more
Last winter our daughter Maddie had had several eye and ear infections, and all required topical and oral antibiotics.  These were instigated by a plugged tear duct.  A pediatric ophthalmologist said there was little chance the duct would open up o… Read more
I needed help.  Denise and the manual touch provided the best customized, targeted therapy I could have found.  She put my torn knee back together, straightened my back, worked with me to regain the mobility I’d lost due to a neck injury, even ha… Read more
After withstanding severe lower back pain and an epidural that didn’t do much, I came to Denise, who is helping me strengthen my core and right leg in order to ease the back stress. At almost 71, I have adopted her exercises at home and I can now e… Read more
I came in to see Denise due to a cervical disc herniation.  I have been told by Illinois Bone & Joint that they refer patients to Denise often as she is able to help when other physical therapy programs fail.  That was definitely the case in my situ… Read more
Denise Schwartz of the Manual Touch Physical Therapy offered a presentation about Low Back Pain and Sciatica at the North Suburban YMCA in Northbrook, IL where I am a personal trainer and the Adult Program Coordinator. We had 21 people in attendance … Read more
On the occasion of my 69th birthday, I celebrated with a special, extended workout that included a set of 10 pull-ups and several other body-weight exercises. But the most important and most appreciated dimension of my body on that day and all others… Read more
Due to a stroke of good luck, I saw a class on Lower Back Pain offered by Denise from The Manual Touch Physical Therapy at Northbrook YMCA. I followed up with an assessment by Denise. Three years ago, I fell and broke my right arm and hip, followed … Read more
I was introduced to Denise in 2013 through the TogetherWeTri triathlon training group. Needless to say we had an instant respect for each other, being that we share a similar purpose and passion in life- helping others heal.  Through my own series o… Read more
Before I met Denise, I spent a good part of every day in bed.  I would go out for one project, then come home and lay on the sofa for the rest of the day. Now I go out in the AM and come home in time to make dinner.  Because of work Denise has done… Read more
Read More

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