The Importance Of Stretching

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - If you listen to me long enough you know that I am a big proponent of exercise on a regular basis. It doesn't have to be intense or lead to pain, but it needs to be consistent. That is why walking or a casual bike ride can be just as helpful as sprinting or racing.

Consistency is the key and the older you get, the amount of time you can dedicate to exercise becomes even more important.

But there is another area that we often ignore. In fact, we ignore it way too much and it, too, is crucial as we get older. I am talking about stretching. We need to stretch on a regular basis because there is no doubt that the stressful world that we live in can truly cause us to tighten up.

Think about it. You might be in the car for long drives or sit in front of the computer all morning. I guarantee at the end of the day you will be tight. The sum total of repeating this day after day can have dramatic effects.
Regular stretching can make a big difference.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor