Does your body or brain "shut down" after stretching?

Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
I'm the only person I know of who has this happen. Sometimes I need to give a reeeeally big stretch (like, arms in the air, arch the back, stand on tiptoes stretch), and when I do my brain and body often seem to temporarily shut off afterwards. Static shows up in front of my eyes (and if it doesn't, my vision wavers anyway), I stumble, and sometimes even fall over. It doesn't seem to hurt me and I'm back to normal after about 10-20 seconds.

Does anyone else's body do weird stuff when you stretch out?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
Yes, I have odd stuff happen when I stretch.
underHim , northstar , Rin (aka Nire) , js250 , Lickable Lollie , Raigne , joja , KyotoAngel , Melan!e , Kissy , Bignuf , SexyRayne , Tangles , deltalima , sexxxkitten
15
Nope, but I've heard of things like that happening.
Badass , ghalik , Kithara
3
No, and I've never heard of this before.
Shellz31 , Undead , Calla , Gunsmoke , ksparkles16 , Geogeo , TransMarc , ViVix , Stagger13 , WD40watcher , dv8
11
The ferret has my wallet. ("other" option)
KyotoAngel , ghalik
2
Total votes: 31 (29 voters)
Poll is closed
04/19/2012
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Contributor: underHim underHim
I can get a headache and a little dizzy after I stretch really big. I have low blood pressure and I have assumed it to be orthostatic hypertension link. What is your blood pressure like?
04/19/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by underHim
I can get a headache and a little dizzy after I stretch really big. I have low blood pressure and I have assumed it to be orthostatic hypertension link. What is your blood pressure like?
I never remember the real numbers, but my mom (who has high blood pressure) takes mine occasionally and she tells me I'm normal. My doctor's never made any special comments about it, either.
04/19/2012
Contributor: northstar northstar
It could be postural hypotension, where your blood supply momentarily shunts away from your brain to other areas that need it more for activity. Sometimes it happens to me when I get out of bed too quickly and it takes a few seconds for my circulation to sort itself out.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Lickable Lollie Lickable Lollie
no fear! it's not just you I have low blood pressure when I stand at times, but it's getting better!
04/19/2012
Contributor: Petite Valentine Petite Valentine
Quote:
Originally posted by northstar
It could be postural hypotension, where your blood supply momentarily shunts away from your brain to other areas that need it more for activity. Sometimes it happens to me when I get out of bed too quickly and it takes a few seconds for my ... more
It has a name! I was about to say that I sometimes get this (though not when stretching). Now I can do some proper research... thank you!
04/19/2012
Contributor: Badass Badass
I have never experienced this, but I have a friend I talk to daily on the phone and she has talked about this happening to her.. Sadly, she has no insurance to go to the Dr. and find out whats up.
04/19/2012
Contributor: KyotoAngel KyotoAngel
It does happen to me once in a while, especially when I'm stretching backwards after I've been hunched over a craft project for a while.
My blood pressure is normal last time I checked though so it might just be a bit of vertigo.

On a totally unrelated side note, I HAD to check the other box because it was too funny to pass up. =^.^=
04/19/2012
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
No, can't say this has ever happened to me and I've never heard it before. Certainly interesting.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Melan!e Melan!e
This sort of thing happens to me too and my blood pressure is very low. I had never attributed one to the other but it makes a lot of sense.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Kissy Kissy
I love stretching to take my mind off things!! Best solution!
04/19/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Rin (aka Nire)
I'm the only person I know of who has this happen. Sometimes I need to give a reeeeally big stretch (like, arms in the air, arch the back, stand on tiptoes stretch), and when I do my brain and body often seem to temporarily shut off afterwards. ... more
You have created a nerve stretch and caused what is called a VAGAL reaction. Same as compressing the carotid bodies in the neck. Can cause your heart rate to SLOW and you to black out. Careful...none of this is really safe...and you can hit your head or worse if you fall.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by northstar
It could be postural hypotension, where your blood supply momentarily shunts away from your brain to other areas that need it more for activity. Sometimes it happens to me when I get out of bed too quickly and it takes a few seconds for my ... more
That happens when STANDING up too fast...but not really when stretching. That sounds more vagal. Same effect, physiologically, however.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Undead Undead
No, I have actually never heard about this until now.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
You have created a nerve stretch and caused what is called a VAGAL reaction. Same as compressing the carotid bodies in the neck. Can cause your heart rate to SLOW and you to black out. Careful...none of this is really safe...and you can hit your head ... more
Scary stuff! It's pretty annoying when I see other people stretching in the same way and they've never had the same reaction. And if I need to stretch, I need to stretch - I can ignore it for a little while, but every few days my body just goes, "You're stretching. Now." Ought to mention it next time I'm at the doctor's if it's as serious as you say.

Never blacked out from it, thank goodness, and I always make sure to stand away from furniture when I do it. I also have no problem putting out an arm to catch myself if I fall all the way (often I just end up in a sitting position). When at home, I lay down on the floor to do it instead.
04/19/2012
Contributor: Tangles Tangles
Yes, I generally black out or have to sit down for a couple seconds after I stretch. It's happened all of my life, though, and has never really caused me any problems.
04/19/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by Rin (aka Nire)
I'm the only person I know of who has this happen. Sometimes I need to give a reeeeally big stretch (like, arms in the air, arch the back, stand on tiptoes stretch), and when I do my brain and body often seem to temporarily shut off afterwards. ... more
OMG YES!!!
04/19/2012
Contributor: ksparkles16 ksparkles16
It hasn't happened to me but I love to stretch!
04/20/2012
Contributor: dhig dhig
i've never had this happen!
04/20/2012
Contributor: spineyogurt spineyogurt
No ive never had anything like that
04/20/2012
Contributor: Geogeo Geogeo
Not at all; I just get charlie horses in my legs
04/20/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
I'm actually pretty surprised by all the people saying "yes." Good to know I'm not alone.
04/20/2012
Contributor: sexxxkitten sexxxkitten
Yes, not often though. Sometime I almost feel like blacking out.
04/20/2012
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by Rin (aka Nire)
I'm the only person I know of who has this happen. Sometimes I need to give a reeeeally big stretch (like, arms in the air, arch the back, stand on tiptoes stretch), and when I do my brain and body often seem to temporarily shut off afterwards. ... more
Nothing weird for me, and I've never heard of this.
04/20/2012