I'm really tall for my age...5'5'' 1/2, and I am 12. The only thing is that I can't touch my toes...whenever I stretch my legs to touch them it hurts. This isn't sudden or anything, I haven't been able to touch my toes since like 3rd grade. The only time I could was when i was like four and my legs were like right in front of me. Obviously this isn't normal...HELP!
2007-01-12 09:04:14 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
okay...so maybe im not a GIANT but everyone else in my class is barley 5 feet...compared to others thats pretty tall.
2007-01-14 12:12:42 · update #1
Not normal..
I only know a few people who can touch their toes..
2007-01-12 09:07:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mark B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm tall too. I'm 5'10" and I haven't been able to touch my toes in forever too. I've always heard that your height shouldn't matter because your body is proportioned the same as everyone else's. But its my theory that if you have really long legs (like I, and I imagine you have) then it might be a little more difficult to do. I don't know, I'm 22 and I haven't figured it out.
Maybe try to stretch consistantly (at least 3 times a week) and you will probably get there.
Good luck darlin'! ♥
2007-01-12 09:09:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hamstrings are probably tight, but this can be remedied by stretching them slowly and gently.
I started a yoga class and the first pose you do you have to bend down and touch your toes, well no one at first could do it, but by the end of the hour you have stretched those muscles out and you can touch them.
Don't bounce, just slow gentle stretch, the best way is to put your feet together, heels apart, big toes touching and take a deep breath and bring your hands above your head and then turn your hands where the palms face each other and bend at the waist slowly and bring your arms down, if you can't reach the floor, use something you can rest your hands on, and the longer you stay like that taking deep breaths, you will eventually be able to reach further and further down to your toes.
2007-01-12 09:09:39 · answer #3 · answered by chickadee_ajm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It' OK. You are in your high-growth years right now, and it's normal for things to not go together well, and for you to have sore muscles and joints. It sounds like you are one of those really blessed girls who just have long legs, and will be able to pick and choose your boyfriends all your life. If that's the case, you may never be able to touch without bending your knees, and it will still be fine.You can help by doing gentle stretches every day, but don't worry too much about it right now.
Don't strain to be 'normal', and enjoy this time in your life, and try not to grow up too fast. Best of luck.
2007-01-12 09:06:36 · answer #4 · answered by Dorothy and Toto 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im rather tall also. I am 6'3'' and havent been able to touch my toes for a long time and I am fairly athletic. Some people are just more flexible than others. I have heard yoga or tai-chi works really well for flexibility.
2007-01-12 09:07:39 · answer #5 · answered by tchem75 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your height doesn't really have so much to do with it as flexibility. I am 5'10" and can barely get past my knees before I feel my hamstrings and tendons tighten up, but I used to be able to touch my toes. The important thing is improving your flexibility, stretching every morning, use a band or tie to help you reach closer to your toes. If you keep at it you will get closer and closer over time.
2007-01-12 09:15:12 · answer #6 · answered by Kimmie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
seeing that you are young you need to stay flexible
so go to your local library and look for books on stretches and take out a couple and do the stretches like they tell you,
even if you still can't touch your toes
you will end up feeling better in a month
but i think if you follow the advice in the books, you just might be able to touch them sooner than you think
one book that comes to mind has a guy in a full split with his legs on chairs on the cover of the book, get that one
good luck
smile
2007-01-14 02:38:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know alot of people who can't touch there toes, it's not a big deal. If you want to be able to you can stretch for 10-15 minutes every morning and before you know it you'll be able to put your palms on the ground.
2007-01-12 09:07:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was 5'8" at your age so you're really not that tall for your age. Many people don't have the flexibility to touch their toes. I wouldn't worry about it too much.
2007-01-12 09:07:24 · answer #9 · answered by onecutebyrd 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yoga helps with that alot. I'd say do that. If you can't just spent a few minutes each day stretching. It won't happen over night. It'll take a month or so.
2007-01-12 09:07:51 · answer #10 · answered by Jonas_83 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never could either, but yoga made a huge difference for me. You might want to give it a try. Only thing: make sure if any pose hurts that your teacher shows you how to modify the pose so it doesn't hurt anymore. Slowly but surely you'll get more flexible, just by showing up to class.
2007-01-12 09:09:33 · answer #11 · answered by M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋