Do You Want Better Health? Start Bending!

This week at the clinic, we have been working on creating a 12-week programme that will allow you to touch your toes with ease and confidence.

You may be wondering why is it essential to be able to do that?

Well, where do we start.

First of all, you will be able to show off in your yoga or Pilates classes once they are up and running again, which is a good thing, right?

Now let's be serious. Each week at the clinic, we see dozens of people whose reduced range of motion contributes to their poorer health and quality of life. Reduced mobility increases the risk of injuries and falls. Therefore we have decided that first of all, encouraging people to work on their flexibility is essential.

Secondly, our mission is not only to provide hands-on treatment, but also equip our clients with all they need to succeed in their journey to an optimal health.

Being able to touch your toes while standing with legs straight, doesn't just test flexibility. It is a big move that lengthens the whole superficial back fascia line, a continuous line of tissues from the eyebrows to the toes that runs at the back of our body. It also strengthens it because you need to engage most of these muscles when you bring yourself back up from the bend position.

Another thing to bear in mind is that this is a very functional motion we use in everyday life: tying shoelaces, getting the shopping out of a car, leaning forward to pick kids up, etc. Each time we lean forward, the muscles at the back of our body must lengthen. Therefore, it only makes sense then to ensure that they are in top condition.

There is no medal for touching your toes, but with a little determination, you will get a better quality of life and benefits that will serve you long into old age. Just check out a few of them:

It improves hamstrings and back strengths and flexibility.

Fewer chances of injuries, strains and tears to the tissues at the back of your bodyBetter posture means not only less muscular tension but also more oxygen. Higher oxygen levels in your blood mean that your body can heal itself easier; you have more energy, sleep better and generally live a longer life in better health.

More fluidity and ease in your movements, which also means more trust and confidence in your body and better chances of saving yourself from falls.

Stress reduction. You must have heard that we carry stress in our shoulders, and you might have noticed that your neck and upper back get all tensed up when you are under pressure. Performing forward fold, the touch fingers to toes is an excellent way of releasing that tension by lengthening the tissues at the back of our neck and upper back. Just bend forward and let the gravity do its work.

Improved balance and coordinationIt also promotes circulation to the upper body and brain, which will give you more energy and mental clarity.

These are only some of the benefits that you get from doing this exercise. Working on one cardinal fascia line will bring positive changes in other areas since everything in our body is connected. We can't make changes to one isolates tissue without impacting others.

If you have been coming to the clinic, you already know that we assess the range of motion regularly. If you haven't visited us yet, why not book an appointment and get your body and nervous system checked out.

P.S If your not ready to fully kick start your health, why not dip your toe first by checking out our awesome flexibility playlist on YouTube!