We have long known that maintaining or acquiring a healthy body will enhance our lives, but how does assisted stretching get us there?
The circulatory system transports nutrients essential for maintaining life. The nervous system protects us through real time information about our bodies’ space in time. Our muscular system including our fascia makes movement possible and our skeletal system provides structure. Stretching will support each one of these systems.
Stretching which directly supports bound up muscles and fascia offers a lengthening of the tissue, which promotes and supports fibers- to align themselves. As you can imagine this action is then progressive in supporting elongated and freer flowing circulatory pathways. A free flowing muscular system helps offer integrity for our skeletal systems. And happily as the systems of our body quiet down our nervous system also quiets down reducing our mental stress as well as our physical pain levels.
As a longtime believer in the power of stretch, I went in for my first assisted stretch session. “Am I really going to pay for someone to stretch me? Can’t I just do this at home?” thoughts of doubt filled my mind.
Our session began with a chat about the real life physical limitations that I was experiencing and how to use assisted stretching to improve my quality of life.
Using a comfortable padded massage table and massage chair, my muscles were gently led into flexion and extention within and then slowly challenging its current range of motion. One, two, three times or more we repeated the stretch. Each time my muscles were given more freedom of movement, as each time my range of motion (ROM) was increased.
The session was predictable.
My muscles were in fact able to increase their range of motion ( ROM ) through assisted stretching.
However, what I found fascinating was how my mind reacted to the session. I was surprised at the feeling of peaceful calm that engulfed my entirety. My body and mind were fully relaxed, much like one experiences during a massage.
Waking up the next morning I was super curious to experience how sore my muscles would feel. I expected tightness and even tenderness but found none. The session resulted in greater ROM within my muscles, that will then go on to support all the other systems of my body, in a painless and productive way. How?
Physical therapists have long recognized stretching to be a useful tool in rehabilitation with injuries and chronic health conditions. Often these stretch sessions are painful both during and after the session. It’s the general belief of “ No pain, no gain.”
Assisted stretching is similar to rehab work yet with a gentler, a more holistic approach.
The movements are gentle yet effective. Challenging yet safe. Oxygen rich and fully natural. Assisted stretching not only supports the mechanical challenges within your structure, it also taps into your nervous system with the gentle safe support that lies at the root of this self care tool.
Assisted stretching is now a tool that I will use to support my healthy lifestyle and self care goals.
It may support your healthy lifestyle and self care goals as well.
You are so worth it.