Hmmm this is a tough one, actually. Is it possible that you pulled something? Because it's pretty weird to be sore from stretching, unless you're just feeling all-over "stretched out" sort of. I get that sometimes after a really intense yoga session. But it shouldn't be overtly painful unless you pulled something. Or maybe are you just sore from your workout?
Here are the basic "rules" when it comes to soreness - don't train a sore muscle (where training = with weights, or something bodyweight oriented like pilates. Cardio is usually ok, as long as it doesn't hurt). However, stretching a sore muscle will help it. Contrary to popular belief, stretching before a weights workout is not the best thing to do, because it stretches out the muscles and makes them weaker, which makes you more prone to injury (it's much more scientific than that but that's the quick 'n' dirty version  ) It's much better to do some light cardio and some warmup sessions of your lifts to get the muscles warmed up but not stretched out. It's best to do your stretching AFTER your workout - this gets the lactic acid moving in your joints and such and will keep you more flexible and less sore between workouts (helps speed up recovery). You can (and should) also stretch lots between workouts.
Anyway, I'm blabbering on a bit here but the basic story is that stretching more probably won't hurt and probably WILL help provided that you haven't pulled something. Tight hamstrings (the backs of your thighs and knees - which, yes, is a muscle) are very common - especially after leg workouts. If you did anything like squats or leg curls or anything like that, then it's probably just your hamstrings are sore. I know that when I work my hams, they get insanely sore, which means that they're insanely tight and inflexible (it actually drives me insane so I stretch them like crazy right after and on all my off days). So it could just be that...? Either way, I'd say stretch more. Go easy, don't hurt yourself. If it's just tight, stretch more and more often. If it honestly hurts when you try to touch your toes or do anything else to stretch the hamstrings, you may have pulled something.
Anyway, that was very longwinded  but hopefully helpful!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
Re: for the fitness gurus - Q about overstretching
