You have your new gym bag, your water bottle filled to the top, and your favorite pair of running shoes by the door. You seem ready to begin your day with exercise, but you may be forgetting one important thing: stretching. For many people, this step doesn’t feel necessary — it’s more of an “if you have time” option. This is a myth. For best results, include this action in your 2020 fitness plans. Here at Advanced Footcare of NJ LLC, we see many sports injuries that could have been prevented. Let us help you avoid these complications.

PREPARE TO EXERCISE

You know the saying: preparation is key. This applies to exercise, too. Stretching is one way to prepare your body — your muscles become stronger and more flexible. This helps with your range of motion as you’re beginning a new fitness plan with different exercises. If you’re a runner, this flexibility also helps to decrease your chance of injuries such as:

Pulled hamstring
Hip stress fractures
Shin splints
Achilles tendonitis
Plantar fasciitis
Arch pain

STOP IF YOU FEEL PAIN

If you’re stretching and begin to feel pain, stop. Your body needs time to adjust, and you may be in danger of causing an injury. Pain is never a good thing. Ease into this activity, especially if it has been a while. Visit your podiatrist to receive some tips and tricks for effective stretching in the new year. A podiatrist will also be able to tell if it’s time to take a break from a particular exercise.

DON’T COMPARE

Comparing yourself to others can be dangerous. If someone appears to be more flexible, that’s okay. They may have been stretching for much longer. Know your limits and be confident with your progress.

Avoid injury or unnecessary discomfort. If you have questions or concerns about how to stretch in a way that’s best for your body, make an appointment online with Dr. Anant Joshi. You can also call our office at (973) 256-0002. We are located at 1031 McBride Avenue, Suite D-105, Woodland Park, NJ, 07424.