Should You Stop Going to StretchLab?

As a golf rehab and performance specialist, I get this question all the time—whether it's from new patients or casual conversations at club events. Should I keep going to StretchLab? The short answer? You probably don’t need to stop going to StretchLab.

But the better questions are:
– Is it actually helping you?
– Could it be doing more harm than good?
– And is there any lasting value in it?

Let’s break it down.

My thoughts on StretchLab

Let me be clear, I don’t have any problem with StretchLab. The most important factor here is that if you like it, or it feels good, then keep doing it. The same goes for traditional chiropractic and physical therapy. If you like it, it makes you feel good, and you have the means, then keep going! That being said, I believe that all of these therapies are limited. Chiropractic, PT, or StretchLab, these are all extremely limited in their value. Without hyper personalized assessment and treatment that integrates treatment techniques AND drives improvements back into your specific goals, we should not expect much. Check out this article to learn more on personalized care for Nashville golfers, “3 things medical doctors, physical therapists, and chiropractors get wrong with Nashville golfers.”

Can StretchLab hurt me?

Unlikely, but there are cases where we would want to avoid it. Scenarios like a symptomatic disc bulge creating low back pain and/or nerve pain down the leg would NOT be something we want to stretch. Common movements and stretches could certainly be making things worse.

Other cases like labrum injuries and meniscus injuries could certainly be made more symptomatic in a high-volume, cookie cutter style treatment. In other cases of pain or injury, It I less likely that things would be made worse, so if you enjoy it, then go for it. But this leads us to the next question… is it helping my specific needs?

Is StretchLab effective?

With the presence of pain or injury, I can be almost certain this is not what you need. Again, barring the examples above, it is probably not making things worse, but it is also unlikely to help. With most orthopedic injuries, we need to address true, un-compensated joint mobility. We then need to re-load the joint (exercise, drills, swing mechanics) strategically.

But what about tightness or achiness? Even still, static stretching of the muscles around the joint is typically NOT the effective means for creating change in perception of muscle tightness or achiness long term. In fact, loading through the tissue is a more effective means of addressing true tissue extensibility. Cells, including cells of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, respond and react (heal) to load. Learn more about that with the article “Why you need to be strong to be flexible” and “Why fitness training is essential for golf: part 1, Mobility.

Will StretchLab improve performance?

Unfortunately, no. In fact, there is clear research now on the detrimental effects of static stretching on power output. Whether the performance activity is strength training, track and field, field sports, or golf, static stretching decreases the elastic or rebound capabilities of the muscle/tendon unit. The data is clear on this one. The good news, these detrimental effects are transient, or short lived. For that reason, static stretching, or a StretchLab visit before a round of golf or intense exercise is not recommended. Check out this article on creating an effective pre-round routine, “20 minutes until tee-time, what should I do?

Final Thoughts

You do NOT have to stop going to stretch lab. Besides a few injuries, stretch lab is unlikely to hurt you or make things worse. Though there are better means to improving mobility, static stretching won’t make things worse unless it is being done excessively before a practice session or a round of golf. Stretch lab is like traditional chiropractic or PT. For an exceptionally small few, it is exactly what we need. But for everybody else, to see real results, much more is needed. I hope this helps clear things up! Check out the supplemental articles to learn more on these topics of Mobility Vs. Static stretching and the podcast below for more info on how IRPC was built to offer MORE to Nashville golfers…

-Dr. Nick Curtis DC, MS, TPI, CSCS

If you would like to learn more about your body, pain, and performance, send Dr. Nick an email at contact@integratedrpc.com or call at (585)478-4379, or schedule a FREE discovery visit at Contact.

Instagram: @Integrated.Rehab.Performance

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