April showers bring May flowers -- but in addition to the reappearance of plant life to the Chicago-land area the warmer weather means a large spike in outdoor exercise and activity populations. Everyone can benefit from a dose of natural vitamin D and increased fitness however, not everyone has kept up with their physical fitness through the long, cold, dark 6-month season known as winter.  In the clinic we always see a spike in injuries as the season switches into spring for this reason-not everyone is physically prepared exercise.  

       Regardless of your type of preferred activity, flexibility is often neglected or stretching performed incorrectly. Flexibility is not often viewed as important as strength or endurance, but this isn't true. Normal flexibility equals full range-of-motion in the joint and proper use and balance of all the muscles surrounding the joint. Balance in the musculoskeletal system is crucial for health. If one muscle group has to do more work than its opposing group, because of decreased motion available, overuse injuries can occur. 

Top 5 Common Stretching Errors and how to fix them!

1. Quads: If you sit for long periods or are active in any way these are tight... Read on for full description.  

2. Hamstrings: Athletes and office workers alike have restriction here. Most common mistake when stretching this group is letting the motion come form flexing the spine to deepen the stretch... Read on about how to effectively stretch your hamstrings

3. Hip flexor/psoas: Typically this is done in a half kneeling position, sometimes known as a roll under stretch. The mistake here is the back is arched to compensate for tightness but since this muscle attaches to the lumbar spine... Read more here! 

Read on for more information and to make sure you're doing calf and glute stretches correctly!