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Advice to improve your movement, fitness, and overall health from the world's #1 in orthopedics.

8 Stretches You Can Do on the Couch

These seated stretches can get your blood flowing again and work out the kinks from too much couch time.

Advice to improve your movement, fitness, and overall health from the world's #1 in orthopedics.

We’ve all been there — glued to the TV, binge watching our favorite show while growing increasingly stiff and sore from too much sitting. Unfortunately, these days, the most movement many of us get is the walk from bedroom to kitchen table to couch. This inactivity takes a toll, leaving our bodies tight and tense. But you can limit the damage of plowing through the entire season of Bridgerton in one session. Aleksandra Kuta, PT, DPT, OCS, suggests the simple movements outlined below, which you can do from the comfort of your couch to get the blood flowing again and start giving your body the attention it needs.

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As you stretch, make sure you’re breathing properly and paying attention to your posture. “You don’t want to slouch,” Kuta says. “Sit in an upright posture to allow your diaphragm to function optimally, which enables better lung expansion and breathing.” Throughout the stretches, gently lengthen the muscles you’re working but don’t overextend. While you may feel a stretch, you should never feel pain.

Published 2/3/2021

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HSS Rehabilitation