Now, Stretch It Out!

The sun is out and the weather is perfect to be outdoors enjoying the summer time. So, you should get out and enjoy yourself by being active. So, you are always told that you should be working out everyday and making sure that you are increasing your heart rate for an extended amount of time. What is the most important part of the exercise that most people miss though? You should be stretching before and after every workout.

What are some of the risks that you run by not properly stretching? You risk rupturing a tendon or ligament, straining them and having very tight muscles. All of these conditions can lead to you being injured and no longer able to exercise like you had been. This means that the second that you have gotten in your groove and formed a habit, you will have to stop.

So, what are some good stretches you can do? It is always important to stretch out all of your leg muscles. You can watch these video 

links to get a better idea as to what stretches you can do.

Now, if you do injure yourself, you could have pain while walking, unfamiliar tightness of your muscles and an aching feeling when you walk or try to work out. If this is the case, then you are going to need to go visit your podiatrist. It may be necessary for you to get a brace and take it easy for a while. After that, you may also need a pair of orthotics to help with your foot type. If you tend to have a high arch or a flat foot, then you could be placing extra strain on your tendons.

So, if you or someone you know has injured themselves exercising, you should seek help from your podiatrist. If you live in the North Reading or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.