When does stretching stop being painful?
zyxst
Posts: 9,145 Member
I've been told I need to stretch my calves and hip flexors daily. I understand I'll be sore for a while, but all I want is someone to shoot me. Can anyone give me a ballpark time of when I will stop wanting to be shot after stretching?
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Replies
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Are your muscles warmed up before you stretch them?0
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CorneliusPhoton wrote: »Are your muscles warmed up before you stretch them?
Yes. I did a few minutes of walking around. I don't stretch because it hurts which is why I need to stretch. Circular logic.0 -
CorneliusPhoton wrote: »Are your muscles warmed up before you stretch them?
Yes. I did a few minutes of walking around. I don't stretch because it hurts which is why I need to stretch. Circular logic.
Is it the same if you walk for a good 15-20 minutes? Get your body really warmed up. When I went to physical therapy, no stretching was done before I either walked on the treadmill or rode the exercise bike for 20 minutes.
ETA: Not saying stretching won't hurt at all if you warm up, but I think it will help. http://web.mit.edu/tkd/stretch/stretching_5.html#SEC390 -
Stretching should feel good not be painful. I would try to stretch just to the point it starts to hurt and then work your way slowly more and more. Hold the almost painful stretch for 8 seconds then 10 seconds the next day etc. This is what I do with yoga.5
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For me, stretching should be uncomfortable, but not painful... so either I'm doing it wrong, or you are.2
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Pain to the point of wanting to be put out of your misery? Sounds like you may be damaging something...
Maybe start more slowly and gently, then gradually work your way to more extensive stretching? 0 -
...what sort of stretching are you doing?1
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What kind of pain are you experiencing? Is it uncomfortable/hurts so good? Or is it pinching, feels like you're tearing something?0
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Have you tried one of those foam rollers? They are like a big rolling pin. My legs were so tight and sore they were hard to stretch. It hurt so bad using the roller the first couple of times that I was nearly in tears but it worked miracles.
MOBILITAS Eco Foam Roller3 -
I didn't think stretching should be painful. If it is, you may be forcing it too much.2
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CorneliusPhoton wrote: »Are your muscles warmed up before you stretch them?
Yes. I did a few minutes of walking around. I don't stretch because it hurts which is why I need to stretch. Circular logic.
A few minutes of walking around is not a warm up. You may be confusing dynamic stretching (done before a work out, an integral part of a warm-up ) and static stretching (which should only be done after a workout when you are good and warm.) Neither should be done to pain.3 -
...what sort of stretching are you doing?
For my calves, I did #2, #3, and #6 from here: http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Best-Calf-Stretches-3102547#photo-3102808
For hips, I did #1, #3, and #6, and attempted #4 and #5 (I can't hold a squat on my heels without ending up on my butt) from here: http://www.fitbodyhq.com/fitness/12-great-stretches-for-tight-hip-flexors/
I wasn't given any directions other than "your hip flexors and calves are tight. start stretching every day."0 -
CorneliusPhoton wrote: »CorneliusPhoton wrote: »Are your muscles warmed up before you stretch them?
Yes. I did a few minutes of walking around. I don't stretch because it hurts which is why I need to stretch. Circular logic.
Is it the same if you walk for a good 15-20 minutes? Get your body really warmed up. When I went to physical therapy, no stretching was done before I either walked on the treadmill or rode the exercise bike for 20 minutes.
ETA: Not saying stretching won't hurt at all if you warm up, but I think it will help. http://web.mit.edu/tkd/stretch/stretching_5.html#SEC39
Yes, it's still painful after a long walk. I tried this type of stretching a couple years ago after my 30-45 minutes of exercise.0 -
What kind of pain are you experiencing? Is it uncomfortable/hurts so good? Or is it pinching, feels like you're tearing something?
It's sorta like "Hey man, you need to stop doing this or you're going to regret it" pain. It's not "oh this will feel great in 5 minutes" nor tearing/pulling a muscle. My back felt like it'd been hit with a board and my legs were very wobbly with pain like the start of a Charley horse.0 -
I have been doing various exercises for tight hips / glutes and hamstrings several times a week for years - it always hurts. Sometimes I'd call it painful, I'd never call it comfortable. I dunno what it would be like if I didn't stretch. Maybe I'd be totally seized up by now?
I'm not a PT so no idea why it never gets any easier for me, but it hasn't .... but I keep on doing it!0 -
What kind of pain are you experiencing? Is it uncomfortable/hurts so good? Or is it pinching, feels like you're tearing something?
It's sorta like "Hey man, you need to stop doing this or you're going to regret it" pain. It's not "oh this will feel great in 5 minutes" nor tearing/pulling a muscle. My back felt like it'd been hit with a board and my legs were very wobbly with pain like the start of a Charley horse.
You might want to foam roll instead. It may be something worth seeing a doctor about, especially since your back was giving you issues.1 -
A good warm up (jog/run not walk), then do some dynamic stretches before you do static stretches. For static stretches they should be uncomfortable but not painful and I aim to hold for 30 seconds. And after you've stretched you shouldn't be sore like you maybe would be if you'd done lifting or whatever it should feel good. If you're sore afterwards you're overstretching. If you're consistent, warm up well and don't push yourself to where it's painful and get injured you should start to feel it get easier pretty quickly.1
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...what sort of stretching are you doing?
For my calves, I did #2, #3, and #6 from here: http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Best-Calf-Stretches-3102547#photo-3102808
For hips, I did #1, #3, and #6, and attempted #4 and #5 (I can't hold a squat on my heels without ending up on my butt) from here: http://www.fitbodyhq.com/fitness/12-great-stretches-for-tight-hip-flexors/
I wasn't given any directions other than "your hip flexors and calves are tight. start stretching every day."
I could be wrong, but these stretches seem pretty advanced if you're going from not stretching at all to doing these.
I would think you should start with something a little less strenuous until you are more limber.0 -
I had issues with my back and hips last year (as recent as December) and had zero flexibility. These HASFIT vids are quite good to get you started and have modified versions for those who are at that sort of level.
https://youtu.be/Xm1bxAkgVqk
https://youtu.be/yOxDeD4sPcE 1 -
I do a workout program called "Classical Stretch" which is available on many PBS stations...DVR it if you can.
I like it because it is a program that is developed with exercises for ALL levels, from Olympic athletes to little old ladies to everyone in between--seriously. Miranda does a remarkable job of instructing how to not work hard, work smart, and never to do anything to a "knife pain".
I'd REALLY recommend it. She's not flashy, she's not sexy-trendy, but she knows her stuff, if you DVR it it's free, and it's 22 minute program that really works:
http://www.classicalstretch.com/2
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