Stretching feels so good, right? You reach, you pull, you sink deep into that stretch, and ahhh… relief. But what if I told you that too much stretching, especially deep stretching, could actually do more harm than good?
The Problem with Over-Stretching
On the surface, deep range of motion stretching seems like a great idea. You want to be flexible, mobile, and pain-free. But here’s the catch! If you repeatedly stretch your muscles too much, they can become overly lengthened. And when tissues stay long for too long… they go limp.
A limp, overly stretched muscle can’t do its job properly. And guess what picks up the slack? Your joints. That means more wear and tear, more stress, and eventually, a greater risk of injury.
If You Want to Improve Your Range of Motion, Stretching Isn’t the Answer
There’s a reason why people have reduced range of motion, it’s not just tight muscles! More often than not, it’s actually a lack of strength through the full range of motion that’s holding you back.
Stretching alone doesn’t involve a strengthening aspect. Your nervous system is smart, it won’t allow you to move into a range of motion that you can’t control. If your muscles don’t have the strength to support a movement, your body protects itself by limiting how far you can go.
So, What’s the Solution?
The key to better mobility isn’t stretching, it’s strengthening through your entire available range of motion. Over time, as your body builds control and stability, your mobility will naturally increase.
Here’s what you should focus on instead:
✔ Strengthen muscles in all ranges of motion, not just the easy parts.
✔ Incorporate dynamic movements that improve both mobility and stability.
✔ Train your nervous system to feel safe in deeper ranges by adding controlled resistance.
The goal isn’t to become the most flexible person in the room, it’s to move well, feel strong, and keep your body working for you, not against you.
Need help figuring out what’s best for your body? Come see us! Your joints will thank you later.