"My specialist says stretching is bad for you"

[JohnnyBuddha]

So yeah, this is what my aunt said regarding some sort of health practitioner she sees every so often for "energy work", among other things (maybe deep tissue massage...not sure). I'm not sure what his official title is, but this seems like a load of shit to me. He told her that yoga practitioners are his most reliable customer.

From what I gathered from our conversation (my aunt and I), it's not just that he thinks it's unnecessary; he thinks that it's dangerous and too hard on the body. Has anyone ever heard similar opinions expressed by anyone with some sort of medical experience?

 

[Diomedes]

Bogus man.

 

[Chris Kimmerly]

As soon as anyone mentions the words "energy work" run the other fuckin way. My mother-in-law is into this shit and her and all the people she does it with are all wackos. They seem ti think they can heal you with thier energy and that while do it they can feel your pain. Nonsense.

And stretching, if done properly is very good your health

 

[Urban]

some research exists saying that static stretching before exericise can INCREASE your rate of injury. Static stretching afterwards though seems to be a legit practice.

 

[Bamaispriceless]

some research exists saying that static stretching before exericise can INCREASE your rate of injury. Static stretching afterwards though seems to be a legit practice.

Yeah, I've read reports similar to that. I always do dynamic stretching before an exercise, and static afterwards as well. Never had an injury due to exercise.

 

[king-tony]

As noted above, there is some research suggesting it can increase the chance of injury. Also, some types of stretching (e.g. bending over and touching your toes) can be harmful because of the position of your spine. That being said, I believe you are better off stretching.

 

[physicaltherapy]

So yeah, this is what my aunt said regarding some sort of health practitioner she sees every so often for "energy work", among other things (maybe deep tissue massage...not sure). I'm not sure what his official title is, but this seems like a load of shit to me. He told her that yoga practitioners are his most reliable customer.

From what I gathered from our conversation (my aunt and I), it's not just that he thinks it's unnecessary; he thinks that it's dangerous and too hard on the body. Has anyone ever heard similar opinions expressed by anyone with some sort of medical experience?

Tell that "healthcare practitioner" to take his power crystals and stick it up his ass. Tell your aunt to see legit healthcare practitioners, hell even legit massage specialists like Rolfers etc.

 

[matt101**]

some research exists saying that static stretching before exericise can INCREASE your rate of injury. Static stretching afterwards though seems to be a legit practice.

Thats interesting

 

[Standard]

thats along the same lines as saying a deadlift is a bad exercise because people can end up hurt. If you know how to do it properly it's a great exercise with many benefits, if you don't know what your doing there is a high potential for injury though.

 

[Poseidon9]

So how's his flexibility?

 

[Revok]

I've read that there is such a thing as excessive flexibility - stretch too much and you can promote instability of the joints (esp. the hips), and so injure more easily. It's nothing 99% of people will ever have cause to worry about though, IMO.

 

[SmashiusClay]

some research exists saying that static stretching before exericise can INCREASE your rate of injury. Static stretching afterwards though seems to be a legit practice.

You should'nt be doing static stretching before exercise anyway, reduces force production, causes fatigue and reduces coordination. Dynamic stretching before exercise and static after.

 

[Zerocrew1984]

I know that Ross enamait doesnt stretch before. He will do warm up sets of whatever he is about to do except for running then he does minor stretches but after a work out is when he does any kind of stretches if any.

 

[groo]

You should'nt be doing static stretching before exercise anyway, reduces force production, causes fatigue and reduces coordination. Dynamic stretching before exercise and static after.

is there a list of dynamic stretches? I basically know of 1, the axe kick stretch [I don't know the real name].

It would be interesting to see.

 

[JoeU1741]

I was reading an article by Eric Creasy a while back where he referenced someone else who was a sports scientician and back specialist. Anyway here is a abbreviated version;

Back specialist says static stretching (even after exercise) reduces your strength and explosive capabilities > Eric Creasy stops doing static stretching and gets his athletes/ clients to do the same > Eric and clients feel much better and "stronger"

I've stopped doing static stretching for a while as my own little experiment, I do dynamic stretching before exercise, then some dynamic type mobility exercises afterwards. I feel pretty good and not "stiff" like I was expecting. Few more weeks and I'll actually test my hamstring/ back flexibility to see.

I'll post the link to the article if I can find it...

 

[boxhead51]

is there a list of dynamic stretches? I basically know of 1, the axe kick stretch [I don't know the real name].

It would be interesting to see.

http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/dynamic.htm
http://www.trickstutorials.com/index.php?page=content/flx3

 

[JohnnyBuddha]

Interesting stuff. I've always done a light warmup, light stretching, workout, followed by more intense stretching routine, so yeah, I don't put too much stock into the general notion that it's bad for you.

As for the energy work stuff, yeah, many, many ppl who believe in it are pretty far out with their crystals and modern-day hippyness. However, I don't rule out its effectiveness. I've heard much anecdotal evidence that it works, most recently being a GSP interview saying he just recently went to a specialist in Las Vegas to get some work done on his injury. I don't remember his exact words, but he said that the guy works on his energy points (I can try to find the interview if anyone's interested--it was in the HW-UFC/Pride forum) and he's worked on many professionals before.

 

[Fists_of_Fury]

The only time stretching is bad for you is if you stretch before a warmup (breaking a sweat).

 

[SmashiusClay]

The only time stretching is bad for you is if you stretch before a warmup (breaking a sweat).

You base that upon which research?

Most stretching experts are actually saying that you should ditch static fleibility work before a workout completly (Kurx has been saying this for years, but Cressey, Tsatsouline and the rest have all jumped onto this one), this does exclude certian stretches for people with major mobility problems (eg. hip flexor work for people with major flexibility problems in this area, prior to squatting or Oly lifts).

 

[talking.dingo]

"Pain is weakness leaving the body."

LOL