Starting a new exercise regimen?
Taking up a new sport?
Experiencing muscle or joint pain or restrictions?
Feeling stiff and hunched?
Recovering from an injury?
Does this sound like you? At AgeRight, we can help.
Assisted stretching (also known as fascial stretch therapy or FST) is a kind of stretching that’s
done by a therapist with a client on a padded table. It focuses on the connective tissue system
instead of isolated muscle treatments. Therapy begins at the joint capsule and progresses
through levels of fascia, which is the thin layer of connective tissue that holds organs, blood
vessels and muscles in place.
The goal is to help neural mechanics when movement is not functioning at its best. It can help
activate inactive muscles and normalize muscle groups that are hyperactive. There are many
benefits:
Why assisted stretching?
1. IMPROVED POSTURE
Many of us spend our days in postures that aren’t good for our overall health. Hunching over a
keyboard or phone can lead to tight muscles and tissue injuries.
Assisted stretching can help to relax and retrain the muscles that are overcompensating due to
injuries or soreness. It can help realign the fascia and restore your mobility. In many cases,
assisted stretching is used along with physical therapy to help improve your overall posture.
2. BETTER FLEXIBILITY
As you get older, your range of motion can become an issue. This means your joints and
muscles become limited in how they allow you to move. During a session, your therapist will
target muscles that are tight and help you to restore flexibility.
Flexibility is important if you want to maintain a regular exercise routine. It reduces your risk of
injury by making muscles more pliable. Flexibility will also improve your posture, muscle
coordination, and any soreness you may feel.
Being flexible can improve your strength as well as your physical performance. If improving your
overall flexibility is a current fitness goal, consider adding assisted stretching to your fitness
routine.
3. IMPROVED CIRCULATION
Extra tightness or tension in your body can really decrease your circulation. The goal of assisted
stretching is to reduce tightness and tension, which can help improve your blood flow.
Improved circulation means that daily activities will be less tiring. It can also help speed up your
recovery time after exercise because toxins will get removed faster. With oxygen reaching your
muscles faster, you’ll also experience improved mental clarity.
4. BETTER JOINT HEALTH
If you wish to maintain an active lifestyle as you get older, joint health is key. Aerobic exercises
such as running, walking, or swimming all require some pressure on your joints.
Assisted stretching helps create space between the joint capsule, which will allow movement to
become smoother.
5. PAIN REDUCTION
A tight fascia can cause physical pain that can make staying in shape more difficult. It may even
lead you to unhealthy movements or postures that can increase your chance of an injury.
Assisted stretching can release the tension in your fascia, thus relieving pain and the underlying
stresses in your body.
6. WEIGHT LOSS
Muscle soreness or tension in your fascia can make it difficult to motivate yourself to keep up
with your daily workout routine. Assisted stretching can help you move with less pain throughout
your body, making working out a less overwhelming process.
Losing weight can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It
can also boost your mood and improve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger. Weight
loss can even help you sleep better.
7. IMPROVED RECOVERY TIME
After an injury occurs, some can become discouraged while they’re waiting to heal so they can
become active again.
With assisted stretching, you’ll enjoy a faster recovery time and a reduction in muscle soreness
after you’re injured. And you’ll be back on your feet before you know it!
8. IMPROVED ENERGY
Remaining sedentary when your body isn’t feeling its best can really deplete your energy levels.
After assisted stretching, your body will feel ready to get active again. In turn, the activity will get
your heart rate up, which will release endorphins. These body chemicals release your pain and
produce feelings of pleasure, which can lead to an overall sense of well-being.
Assisted Stretching at AgeRight
Kinesiologist Stephen Hendricks delivers assisted stretching to help our clients improve their
physical well-being, whether they are less active or very active, have specific physical issues or
are recovering from injuries. This one-to-one therapy can be customized to meet individual
needs and is a good first step for seniors in building readiness for a new exercise regimen.
Assisted stretching can be booked in single sessions or packages of multiple sessions.
Find out more
To learn more about our assisted stretching sessions, contact us today. We’re ready to help you
move more freely, experience less muscle and joint pain, and improve your overall physical
well-being.
Taking up a new sport?
Experiencing muscle or joint pain or restrictions?
Feeling stiff and hunched?
Recovering from an injury?
Does this sound like you? At AgeRight, we can help.
Assisted stretching (also known as fascial stretch therapy or FST) is a kind of stretching that’s
done by a therapist with a client on a padded table. It focuses on the connective tissue system
instead of isolated muscle treatments. Therapy begins at the joint capsule and progresses
through levels of fascia, which is the thin layer of connective tissue that holds organs, blood
vessels and muscles in place.
The goal is to help neural mechanics when movement is not functioning at its best. It can help
activate inactive muscles and normalize muscle groups that are hyperactive. There are many
benefits:
Why assisted stretching?
1. IMPROVED POSTURE
Many of us spend our days in postures that aren’t good for our overall health. Hunching over a
keyboard or phone can lead to tight muscles and tissue injuries.
Assisted stretching can help to relax and retrain the muscles that are overcompensating due to
injuries or soreness. It can help realign the fascia and restore your mobility. In many cases,
assisted stretching is used along with physical therapy to help improve your overall posture.
2. BETTER FLEXIBILITY
As you get older, your range of motion can become an issue. This means your joints and
muscles become limited in how they allow you to move. During a session, your therapist will
target muscles that are tight and help you to restore flexibility.
Flexibility is important if you want to maintain a regular exercise routine. It reduces your risk of
injury by making muscles more pliable. Flexibility will also improve your posture, muscle
coordination, and any soreness you may feel.
Being flexible can improve your strength as well as your physical performance. If improving your
overall flexibility is a current fitness goal, consider adding assisted stretching to your fitness
routine.
3. IMPROVED CIRCULATION
Extra tightness or tension in your body can really decrease your circulation. The goal of assisted
stretching is to reduce tightness and tension, which can help improve your blood flow.
Improved circulation means that daily activities will be less tiring. It can also help speed up your
recovery time after exercise because toxins will get removed faster. With oxygen reaching your
muscles faster, you’ll also experience improved mental clarity.
4. BETTER JOINT HEALTH
If you wish to maintain an active lifestyle as you get older, joint health is key. Aerobic exercises
such as running, walking, or swimming all require some pressure on your joints.
Assisted stretching helps create space between the joint capsule, which will allow movement to
become smoother.
5. PAIN REDUCTION
A tight fascia can cause physical pain that can make staying in shape more difficult. It may even
lead you to unhealthy movements or postures that can increase your chance of an injury.
Assisted stretching can release the tension in your fascia, thus relieving pain and the underlying
stresses in your body.
6. WEIGHT LOSS
Muscle soreness or tension in your fascia can make it difficult to motivate yourself to keep up
with your daily workout routine. Assisted stretching can help you move with less pain throughout
your body, making working out a less overwhelming process.
Losing weight can reduce your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It
can also boost your mood and improve the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and anger. Weight
loss can even help you sleep better.
7. IMPROVED RECOVERY TIME
After an injury occurs, some can become discouraged while they’re waiting to heal so they can
become active again.
With assisted stretching, you’ll enjoy a faster recovery time and a reduction in muscle soreness
after you’re injured. And you’ll be back on your feet before you know it!
8. IMPROVED ENERGY
Remaining sedentary when your body isn’t feeling its best can really deplete your energy levels.
After assisted stretching, your body will feel ready to get active again. In turn, the activity will get
your heart rate up, which will release endorphins. These body chemicals release your pain and
produce feelings of pleasure, which can lead to an overall sense of well-being.
Assisted Stretching at AgeRight
Kinesiologist Stephen Hendricks delivers assisted stretching to help our clients improve their
physical well-being, whether they are less active or very active, have specific physical issues or
are recovering from injuries. This one-to-one therapy can be customized to meet individual
needs and is a good first step for seniors in building readiness for a new exercise regimen.
Assisted stretching can be booked in single sessions or packages of multiple sessions.
Find out more
To learn more about our assisted stretching sessions, contact us today. We’re ready to help you
move more freely, experience less muscle and joint pain, and improve your overall physical
well-being.