Renew Wellness

New Year, New Muscle Length

Written by Cody H. | Jan 3, 2022 5:00:00 AM

2022 is here! It's that time of year again, the time of year when everyone realizes their full potential for lifestyle changes, including exercise, eating habits, and decreasing stress. It is vital to incorporate muscle lengthening and release techniques into your routine to prevent future injuries. Why not start some of these New Year's resolutions with a great foundation this time around? Let's break down a couple of keywords to understand when learning about muscles. 

Flexibility is a massive piece of success in the gym, which includes muscle lengthening and muscle release. The basic definition of flexibility includes moving a joint through its full active range of motion to perform a functional activity.

A muscle will be at its best ability to help you perform when it is free of nodules called Musculoskeletal Trigger Points (TRP) and is at its desired length. Imagine that your bicep is a rubber band you tied a knot in. Now, imagine trying to stretch that rubber band out - it won't perform as well. This example is a great way to think about how TRP can limit our mobility. Achieving and then maintaining muscle length can be a difficult task, but with the vast variety of tools on the market, it is more easily achievable with the help of an expert. These devices can include but are not limited to foam rollers, TRP Gun/Massager, TRP balls, stretching straps, magic sticks, Power Plate, TRX straps, and stability balls.

These different techniques and tools can help anyone be successful at Myofascial ReleaseThis technique is designed to release restrictions such as trigger points, muscle tightness, and dysfunctions in soft tissue that may cause pain and limit motion in all parts of the body. Fascia is a thin saran wrap-like, protective material that costs ALL of the body's tissues. The combination of fascia and muscle creates the Myofascial Connection that holds all human bodies together and allows us to move!

Learn more about your body and how it works when you schedule an evaluation with Renew Physiotherapy today! We'll help you optimize your Myofascial Connection and attain those 2022 goals before you know it.