Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) is an assisted stretching program that has been thoroughly researched and designed by some of the top professionals in the industry. It is performed on a treatment table, using stabilization straps to hold limbs in place, giving the therapist better control and leverage when performing the stretches. The client feels more comfortable and is able to relax easier by not feeling like they are going to roll off the table.
Your body will be moved and stretched in ways that you just can not do on your own, with areas targeted for release that you likely have never felt before, or even realized how tight you were there. It works deep into the joint capsules of your body (almost 50% of our flexibility is locked up in our joints)… areas a therapist can’t reach with their hands, or with other methods of manual therapy.
Traction is a major component of the treatment. The therapist will apply gentle traction to the joint being targeted, opening up the joint and creating space for increased range of motion before taking the limb through the movement pattern, paying attention to the fascia restrictions that may need to be addressed. It is pretty pain free for the client, although some areas can be intense or uncomfortable if it is really restricted. The therapist will work slow through these areas and stay within your comfort zone.
Who Gets Fascial Stretch Therapy?
FST is still pretty unknown to most of the general public, although it is growing rapidly throughout the country, and the world. Professional teams and athletes have been using it for years as part of their treatment programs. The Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers all have FST therapists as part of their staff. The 2015 USA Women’s World Champion Soccer Team had an FST therapist as well. All over the country teams and pro athletes from all sports are starting to hire FST therapists (if they haven’t already) because of how beneficial the treatment is.
It is not just a treatment for athletes though, it benefits people of all ages and activity levels. We lose 10% of our flexibility for every 10 years that we age unless we actively work at maintaining it. My desk workers LOVE this treatment because of how immobile their bodies have become from sitting hunched over all day. There are new discoveries everyday in the continued research of fascia, and how treatment that targets this soft tissue component of our body positively affects us. There are just too many benefits to list!
Some Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy:
- Reduce and help prevent the risk of injury
- Improved posture and muscle function, which allows your body to move more freely
- Improve/Increase circulation, flexibility and range of motion
- Reduce or eliminate pain and soreness
- Promote development of body awareness, and increase balance and symmetry in the body
- Enhance physical fitness and performance, and helps to reach fitness goals
- Improved recovery and sleep
