Stretch Therapy & Flexibility Training
Active Isolated Stretch Therapy (AIS) is beneficial for anyone who wishes to optimise health, prevent injury, recover faster and restore wellness.
Our Stretch and Flexibility Therapy can improve:
Tight and hypertonic (overactive muscles)
Stiff joints: hips, ankles, shoulders and knees
Immobile and stiff backs and necks
Post training inflammatory issues – delayed onset muscular soreness (DOMS)
Increase range of movement required for your specific sport to prevent injury and optimal performance
Increase circulation through improved muscle, fascia, ligament and neural mobility
Stretch Therapy based on the AIS system is a comprehensive treatment modality that includes stretching of soft tissue structures, fascial remodeling, strengthening, neuromotor re-patterning and relaxation. A truly holistic care model.
An essential element of healing and pain management is a thorough understanding of self-management techniques, which are explained to each patient. Physiotherapists also prescribe specific exercise programmes, such as core stability retraining, to address the dysfunction causing the problem and optimise the patient's chances of a healthy spine.
Stretch therapy can be very effective in making your body feel light and balanced because it works with your own body’s natural physiology. Our Flexibility and Stretch Therapists use scientifically researched techniques based upon proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) principles.
These PNF principles are:
Reciprocal inhibition – activating the primary muscle (agonist) makes the opposing muscle (antagonist) relax and lengthen
Hold / Relax – by contracting a muscle for a short period (2 seconds) and then letting go, requires optimal relaxation of a muscle
Stretching skillfully into range to prevent triggering the stretch reflex (myotatic reflex) in tendons, ligaments and muscles. This prevents overstretching of soft tissue structures.
Stretch therapy is a unique experience that can help in restoring optimal function and integrates perfectly with Physiotherapy and a comprehensive health plan at PhysioMotion.