Stretching
What to expect:
Stretching sessions will include some massage to warm up the area being worked on. Different stretching techniques will be used and self care stretches will be taught.
How it helps:
Different types of stretching are based on slightly different principles.
Passive Stretching: Passive stretching is when a practitioner does the stretching. This definitely requires communication between the stretcher and the one being stretched. If the stretch is pushed too far, there can be injury so great care must be taken.
Muscle Energy Technique (MET): MET targets the soft tissue primarily, but also can affect joint mobilization as well. Postisometric Relaxation (PIR) and Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) are two examples of muscle energy technique.
PIR refers to the neurological inhibition of a muscle following its isometric contraction. This means after a muscle contraction, the muscle will be more relaxed. RI works by contracting the opposite muscle. This is based on the neurological reflex that causes one muscle to relax when it's opposite muscle contracts. RI is commonly used by athletes and sports therapists to help relieve cramping muscles. The athlete will contract the muscle opposite to the cramping one, which will inhibit the muscle to help stop it from cramping.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF): PNF stretching is great if range of motion is limited or if the person is weak or in pain. Examples of PNF are Hold-Relax and Contract-Relax. It is less likely to have injury due to stretching using PNF techniques.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS): AIS uses active movement and reciprocal inhibition. It is thought to prevent the stretch reflex while activating reciprocal inhibition thereby allowing the target muscle to lengthen more easily.
What it can help:
Stretching has many benefits. These benefits include: increasing and maintaining range of motion, relieving muscle soreness, relieving stiffness, elongating fascia, prevention of joint and muscle strains, reducing tightness and more.
