The Benefits of Stretching

There is a lot of information about the benefits regular exercise has on a person's health and it has become a huge push in the healthcare field for people to get active. However, I have not seen much information about the benefits of stretching.

A family nurse-practitioner wrote a brief article on the benefits seen with stretching in regards to a person's health. Among them, she has listed: "increased flexibility, enhanced coordination, better posture, improved circulation and stress relief."
Source: http://www.healthreachchc.org/news/healthTip.php?IDT=114%20

While stretching should not replace aerobic or strength-training exercise, it is something that people should incorporate into their daily routines.

One researcher wrote an article analyzing the effects of regular yoga practice. The results from the study showed that "yoga practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life" Woodward, C. (2011). "Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life." International Journal of Yoga, 4(2): 49-54.

Other research has been accomplished that proves the benefits of stretching related to one's health. However, I have not seen stretching prescribed much in the medical field. Has anyone else seen stretching prescribed?