Human beings are some of the most agile creatures on planet Earth. The average running speed of a human being can be around twenty-three miles per hour. Although it’s not as fast as a cheetah or a gorilla, it’s one of the most efficient ways to run without too much energy. Of course, all of this mobility comes with a good range of motion in our joints.
However, some people can have difficulty achieving this level of mobility, especially those who have been in a recent accident. Therefore, one of the best ways to increase your flexibility is to deal with any recent accidents you might have.
Dealing With Accidents
Accidents can come in many forms, the most common being car accidents. These usually involve some form of whiplash, which can severely damage the neck. This pain can be unbearable and make it difficult to move your head. If you’ve been in a car accident, the best thing you can do is to seek out an experienced car accident chiropractor. They will be able to help you recover from your injuries and increase your flexibility.
However, there are also ways you can recover from your accident and regain lost flexibility. A healthy diet can feed your body the proper nutrients to heal appropriately. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help your body repair itself faster. Additionally, getting enough sleep is crucial for recovery. Your body needs time to rest and repair itself, so ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep per night. It’s also good to do some stretching.
Do Some Stretching
Light stretching is also good without stressing your body too much. For example, moving your head from side to side can help loosen your neck muscles. Doing some arm and leg stretches can also help increase flexibility.
There are two main types of stretching static and dynamic stretching.
Static Stretching
You stretch a muscle and hold it for fifteen to thirty seconds. This stretch is best done after a workout when your muscles are already warm. It’s also the best stretching if your muscles recover from the accident.
Dynamic Stretching
Stretching can also be all about movement. Dynamic stretching is a great way to increase your range of motion. It involves moving your body through its range of motion and gradually increasing the range. Physical therapists don’t suggest this to those just a month into recovery. But once you start to feel more confident about your range of movement without pain, you can add dynamic stretching into your routine.
Yoga
Slow and steady movements are great for regaining loss of flexibility after an accident. That’s why yoga is such a popular choice. There are many different types of yoga, so you can find one that works for your level of flexibility.
Iyengar Yoga
This type of yoga focuses on correct alignment and uses props to help with positioning. It’s a great way to ease into yoga if you’re not very flexible or some parts of your body still ache from the accident.
Hatha Yoga
This more basic form of yoga involves slower movements and simple postures. It’s an excellent place once you’ve gained some motion back into your body.
Vinyasa Yoga
If you’re looking for a more challenging yoga class, try Vinyasa yoga. This type of yoga links each movement to your breath. The continuous flow can help increase your flexibility over time. It increases blood circulation which is essential for accident recovery.
Pilates
There are also other forms of light exercises that can help you recover. For example, Pilates is a great way to improve flexibility, especially after an accident. It involves controlled movements that focus on the core muscles. Pilates can help you build strength and improve your posture. It’s also low-impact, so it’s easy on the joints and muscles affected by accident.
Start Exercising
Once you’ve noticed that your flexibility has increased, you can start to add in some other forms of exercise. Cardio is an excellent way to get your heart rate up and improve your overall health. Swimming, running, and biking are all excellent cardio exercises. You can also start to add in strength training. This will help build the muscles around your joints, which can help improve flexibility.
Get a Massage
Getting regular massages can also help increase flexibility. Massages help loosen the muscles and reduce pain. It’s a great way to relax the body and allow it to heal correctly.
Acupuncture is another option that can help with flexibility. This ancient Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture is said to help release pain-relieving chemicals in the body and improve blood flow.
Your body isn’t the same after an accident. However, following these tips can help improve your flexibility and range of motion. Don’t push yourself too hard, and listen to your body. You can return to doing what you love after a car accident with time and patience.
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