You just finished a great workout—pushed yourself hard, reached a personal best and left the session a hot, sweaty mess. Good for you! Now, let’s stretch. Hard pass? You’re not alone. Take a look around your next group-fitness class. Once the cool-down begins, you’re bound to see a few people skip the guided stretching.
Even if you’re not in full workout mode, you might spend hours at your desk. You’re leveling up your productivity and saving big clients, but those tight hamstrings and pinching lower back muscles might weep for some TLC.
Stretching. You know you should.
“Regular stretching allows your body to move without putting undue wear and stress on your joints, tendons and ligaments,” says Rob Goldring, co-developer with Melissa, of THE VITAL STRETCH (thevitalstretch.com). The method, created in 2018, is a natural outgrowth of decades of clinical knowledge in the fields of physical therapy and chiropractic care. This fall they opened a studio inside mActivity at 150 Washington Blvd., following up on their first location in South Norwalk. Putting “vital” in the business name makes it clear how much they believe in the importance of stretching for athletic recovery, balance, flexibility, energy and more. “Stretching improves posture and mobility,” Rob says, “and it improves blood flow and has been shown to improve restful sleep and awareness during your day.”
Now, tight muscles of Stamford, go beyond your usual toe touch or neck roll. Certified stretch practitioners work on your muscles and fascia in sessions tailored to your needs. “They’re knowledgeable in numerous techniques to safely and effectively offer you long-lasting relief from tension in muscles and stiffness in joints,” says Melissa. “They’re also trained to find those tight or restricted areas and imbalances that may be affecting your posture or causing unnecessary soreness and tension, and they help your body release tension, improve posture and have better movement without pain.” The practitioners even use special stabilization tables to help them treat specific spots. If you prefer to do the work at home, opt for concierge services. Also, The Vital Stretch has corporate wellness services, such as virtual classes and in-person lectures.
