Stretching is good. It can decrease stress, reduce pain, and boost energy. Regular stretching can also lower the risk of injury, improve balance, and increase flexibility. The drawback? Getting at those tough-to-reach spots isn't easy. That's where assisted stretching can be helpful. Certified stretch therapists are trained to manually guide muscles into places and positions that you can't reach by yourself. Adding assisted stretching to chiropractic care can help to improve the mobility of the spine, muscles, and nerves making it easier for chiropractors to treat the areas that need help. 

What are the benefits of assisted stretching and how can you incorporate
this modality into your practice?

photo via Adobe Stock

What is assisted stretching?

In simple terms, assisted stretching is a technique where one person helps another person stretch. Assisted stretching uses specific techniques to increase mobility and flexibility of a muscle or group of muscles and requires advanced training in the way the body moves. It is often performed by massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers. Assisted stretching is a gentle technique that can be used not only on generalized clientele, but also on children, adults, the elderly and those with physical disabilities.

A typical session may include an extensive assessment of an individual’s physical health. A practitioner conducting a session will look at a person’s range of motion, flexibility, limitations, alignment, pain and discomfort levels. They will also take into account their client’s goals and develop a stretch program that will gradually help them reach those goals.

With the assistance of a trained stretch therapist, a client can go deeper into a stretch safely, effectively and without injury. These sessions are fully customizable and act as an enhancement to a client’s current wellness program. Clients who incorporate stretching often experience improved posture, pain relief, a reduction in stress, rejuvenation and an overall feeling of well-being.

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Benefits of Stretching

Stretching is an essential component to maintaining optimum health. It supports our joints and muscles as well as our emotional health by reducing stress levels in the body. A few of the most important benefits of stretching include increased range of motion and flexibility, improved circulation, improved posture, stress relief and pain relief.

Deluxe Stretch Table by PHS Chiropractic

The Deluxe Stretch Table by PHS Chiropractic is perfect for stretch therapists to perform passive, resistive, PNF, dynamic, and manual muscle manipulation for their clients. The 2” high density foam is durable and will prevent patients from sinking into the cushion, which limits their flexibility. A heavy-duty 700 lb. load capacity allows both the therapist and client to be full weight bearing on the table with no stability issues.

Standard Features:

• Load Capacity: 700 lbs.
• Available in wood or laminate
• Glue and dowel construction
• 2” High density foam cushion
• Rounded corners
• Black toe-kick plate
• Storage area on one side
• Divided cubby section (one end only)
• One adjustable shelf in center section of divided end cubby

Curated from The Massage Therapist’s Guide to Assisted Stretching Techniques by Aiyana Fraley in Massage Magazine. Read the full article here.