Articles

Facilitated Stretching Has Something to Offer You and Your Clients

Facilitated stretching uses the body's own physiological responses to enhance the process of muscle lengthening. Although these techniques have been used extensively in the athletic industry for years, facilitated stretching offers any client a gentle and effective way to work with the body to balance tissue tone. For clients holding tension, facilitated stretching can subtly remind muscles of their normal resting length. For clients with chronically shortened tissue, these techniques can be used more aggressively to restore function and reduce pain. The most dramatic effects, however, are seen when the stretching is performed to not only stretch muscle, but also fascia. In fact, facilitated stretching is arguably the most efficient method to increase range of motion and flexibility. Although easy to implement, training is necessary to execute facilitated stretching. McKinnon offers a 7.5 hour workshop. The class includes the theory behind the effectiveness of these techniques as well as plenty of hands-on muscle lengthening. Basic principles are presented first along with gentle examples that can be used with most clients. Then, more aggressive forms of stretching are presented leading to techniques that help athletic clients increase flexibility to achieve performance goals. Additionally, self stretches are presented for therapists and clients motivated to take therapy home. Whether you are working with clients or self-stretching after a long day of sessions, facilitated stretching lets you work with the body's natural process to effectively achieve your goal.