Myofascial Stretching
Why You Should Try Assisted Myofascial Stretching?
Having a Therapist help you stretch can prevent injury and lead to an increased range of motion
It’s a familiar scene: You’re watching the big game and see the centre or the second rower on the sidelines stretching out their hamstrings with help of a trainer.
This type of stretching is known as assisted and can be beneficial when it comes to increasing your flexibility and range of motion.
So, whether you’re recovering from an injury or just want some relief from chronic back pain, is this something you should try?
What is assisted Myofascial stretching?
Assisted stretching is a form of passive stretching, which uses an outside force to stretch your muscles. You can use a towel, fitness strap or in the case of assisted stretching, you can use a therapist.
With assisted stretching, you use a , therapist to apply an external force to help with your stretches.
You may be familiar with dynamic stretching, which involves moving your joints and muscles repeatedly in the same motion before physical activity to help improve your power and coordination.
Or you may have heard of static active stretching, which is based on holding a stretch as far as you can go for a set length of time, typically 30 to 90 seconds. This type of stretch can improve your flexibility and improve balance.
But with assistance stretching, you’re spending more time focusing on stretching out a specific area, which can lead to an increased range of motion.
How does it work?
To help guide you through stretches. Practitioners and therapists are often trained on assisted stretching and can help you determine the best stretches for you and your goals.
The goal? To push your muscles a little more, which results in a deeper stretch and improved flexibility and range of motion.
Over time, after doing an assisted stretch a few times, that expanded stretch will become your natural range of motion.
Assisted Myofascial stretching benefits?
Is assisted stretching worth it? Yes, stretching can be great to help with aches and pains. Here are some benefits of assisted stretching:
It Increases range of motion. By working on improving how far you can stretch with each session, you’ll slowly become more limber. And if you’re recovering from an injury, this can help not only return to your original flexibility, but also help improve it.
Reduces stiffness and tension. While you may be a little sore the next day, as you improve your range of motion, you’ll notice less stiffness and tension in your muscles. “Your muscles will feel looser and you’ll feel less achy.”