Proper stretching improves circulation and relaxation. You’ll improve your flexibility and improve your ability to move. Long periods of sitting at a desk can cause soreness around the shoulders and neck area. A sprain of the ankle can cause pain, even if it’s an old injury. Tight muscles create nerve pressure and constrict the blood-flow. There are many similarities between stretching and massage, but its main benefit is that it relieves the tension and tightness stored in your muscles when they’ve been used. Stretches improve blood flow to your muscles and therefore keep your joints aligned as they enhance range of motion.