Fascial Stretch Therapy
What is Fascial Stretch Therapy?
Fascial Stretch Therapy (or FST), is a type of stretching that targets not only the muscles, but the fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and joints. FST also targets the entire joint and joint capsule, using traction to remove restrictions from movement and to stimulate lubrication. Our FST therapist will gently pull and move the arms, legs, spine, and neck in a smooth motion through varying planes of movement. There is no pain, not even discomfort. Instead, the gentle movement is stimulating and relaxing at the same time.
The problem with many standard stretching programs is, well, they are standard.
An athlete will finish her workout, run through her “usual” stretches, maybe paying extra attention to tight hips, sometimes pushing through some pain to get that final stretch. Sadly, this type of stretching is not effective and may even be causing more tightness and inflexibility. When you cause pain with stretching, your muscles respond to protect themselves, tightening up in a rebound type effect.
By contrast, our Fascial Stretch Therapist will evaluate each person, looking for imbalances, as well as the source of those imbalances. Then using breath to help with movement, the therapist will first warm up the joints and muscles with undulating stretching to maximize blood flow. Then using techniques of slow undulating movement, as well as traction (gently pulling to create space in the joint) and modified PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), synchronized with the breath, the therapist will stretch the entire body, following a logical anatomical order, to lengthen muscle, increase range of motion, and improve flexibility.
10 Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy
- Increase Range of Motion
- Muscular Balance and Symmetry
- Improved Performance
- Reduced Pain
- Reduced Risk of Injury
- Improved Posture
- Improved Muscle Function
- Improved Circulation
- Decrease Compression and Impingement in the Joints.
- Improved Energy
The effects are cumulative. It took a while to develop the imbalances and stiffness in your body. It will take a while to reap the benefits of FST. But, that being said, you can feel immediate benefits, even after your first session.
Request an appointment online or just call our office at (215) 493-4463 to arrange a consultation with your Yardley Chiropractor at Optimal Health Center.