Is Contortion Bad for Your Spine?

By Donna Stark

From the outside looking in, contortionists may seem like mysterious, otherworldly beings. However, behind the bends, twists, and seemingly impossible poses, there is a lot more than meets the eye. Contortionism is a form of extreme flexibility that allows a person to move, stretch, and hold their body in ways that seem both painful and unnatural. For the most part, it is generally only seen on stage as dancers, acrobats, and gymnasts rely heavily on their ability to use their bodies in such a way, but you may be able to catch a person or two at the gym utilizing these types of stretches too. And if you do, you may also find yourself wishing for the same amount of flexibility as them. But is that level of flexibility even realistic?

Should You Aim to Be as Flexible as a Contortionist?

Although these types of stretches may look simple and easy to do, it’s important to remember the intense muscle conditioning and training routines people must go through to achieve that level of flexibility. Typically, they start practicing these stretches at a young age, and then they spend years refining them. It’s also important to note that some people may have joint hypermobility syndrome or Ehlers Danlos syndrome. These two conditions can cause the joints in the body to have an unusually large range of motion and can result in loose connective tissue around those joints. This can make it easier for those people to stretch their bodies in such extreme ways. In other words, that level of flexibility isn’t for everyone. If those same movements and stretches are attempted by someone who can’t even touch their toes and is simply trying to improve their flexibility while at the gym, significant damage and injuries to the body may occur.

What Are the Risks and Benefits of Extreme Flexibility Exercises?

Extreme flexibility exercises are risky for everyone, so even if you are double-jointed or think you have great flexibility, the first thing you must consider and prioritize is your overall safety during these types of stretches. You shouldn’t jump into doing them without increasing your overall flexibility and strength slowly and over time. Once that is achieved, you should seek proper guidance or instruction from a professional because there is always a chance that some type of damage to the spine and other joints of the body will occur. These risks may include spinal “misalignment,” joint dysfunction, muscle strain, and other long-term soft tissue damage, and can vary in severity.

However, if you have been practicing these exercises and stretches for some time, the risk of injury is greatly reduced. As with any form of physical activity, it’s important to warm up the body first, use proper mechanics and form, and work under the guidance of a professional, if needed. With the proper amount of practice and experience, there are many different benefits to be had from extreme flexibility exercises. Here are just a few.

• Improved spinal health
• Enhanced body awareness
• Increased flexibility and range of motion
• Increased balance and strength
• Reduced risk of strains and overuse injuries
• Greater independence

Why Flexibility Is Important

The days are hard enough to navigate on their own, but they would be near impossible if we didn’t have good flexibility. Flexibility enhances our overall well-being and allows us to live an active life. We need it to get dressed, work out, cook meals, pick up children, lift things at work, drive a car, and walk up stairs. From the moment we wake up and start our day to the second we come home and turn in for the night, good flexibility is key. Unfortunately, like most other things in life, it’s something we can easily lose if we don’t do anything to maintain it. This is why it is essential to include some form of flexibility exercises in your daily workout routine. There are plenty of online resources loaded with recommendations, or you could ask a physical trainer or the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic for suggestions and tips.

Choosing What’s Best for Your Body

While it's important to maintain your overall flexibility, you should also know when you need to stop. Listen to your body, and take regular breaks to ensure you don't overdo it. Don’t rush into any form of stretching or exercise if your body isn’t ready to do so or if it can’t handle the level you are trying to reach. And if you do feel some discomfort or pain, stop immediately and seek help at The Joint Chiropractic. Taking the necessary precautions now can help ensure success while also avoiding any potential long-term issues that may arise.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.