How important is stretching really?

We all are familiar with the golden rule of stretching before and after your workouts, but how important is stretching really? Is there actually a difference if you don't stretch? Despite what we are told there is more to it than just to loosen muscle joints. Stretching is useful for both injury prevention and treatment. The main reason for stretching is prevention. There are some benefits of stretching which include flexibility, recovery, the possibility of enhancing physical activity, and the improving of respiratory functions.

When stretching seems difficult, or when you are tight this just translates to the amount of flexibility you have. Each individual is considerably different in the variation of flexibility that they may have. Don't expect to make big gains with flexibility in such a short period of time. It is very important when stretching to be patient and relax. A good idea is to stretch starting with the neck and then progress down to the feet holding each position for 15-20 seconds. If you have any back, neck, or bone joint problems consult your physician before beginning any stretching program. Remember stretching takes time so be patient and consistent to gain flexibility.