FASCIA STRETCH THERAPY
What is fascia stretch therapy?
Fascia Stretch Therapy (FST) is simply put, the most effective and powerful form of musculoskeletal pain relief available. Instead of targeting specific muscles, it targets the connective tissue (fascia) around the muscles, bones, joints, and organs to assist in aligning and balancing the body. Fascia runs in specific lines throughout the body that not only determine the whole body's movement or lack thereof but is also where nerves, blood vessels, and lymph move through. It's a network that all your tissues rely upon.
When fascia becomes "snagged" in any part of its' line due to postural habits or injury, these systems of movement, lymph, circulation, feeling, and brain communication stops working as well as they could. To open and mobilize the fascia, therefore, creates incredible harmony within the body's chemical reactions via the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, lymph, and circulatory systems.
FST uses breath, and slow pain-free movements to target imbalances in order to strengthen muscle, increase range of motion, and improve flexibility. The client is guided gently through a complete range of motion, beginning with the deepest areas of restriction and moving through the fascial lines outward to the most superficial, in order to provide maximum benefits. FST does not follow a set routine of stretching like other types of traditional assisted stretching but is fully customized to each individual client’s needs.
How is it different?
Unlike other types of bodywork or self-stretching that just work on the muscles, FST engages the whole myofascial system, by targeting muscles as well as the joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones. FST first focuses on the joint capsules and small muscles around the joint capsules before addressing superficial muscles. The ability to address the joint capsules and muscles around the joint capsules through stretching is completely unique to FST. There is no other way to do it and it is a very powerful tool in getting to those areas that massage or self-stretching cannot reach.
An FST practitioner is uniquely trained to feel and assess the client’s needs. Every stretch and movement with the client is a chance to assess where they are presently at. I can feel the tension they are carrying in their joints and other musculature, and reevaluate and redirect the approach in order to make the best and biggest difference for that client. There is an intuitive element to FST that offers deeply personalized treatments and a client-tailored well thought out plan of care.
Traction is a unique feature of FST and is the core of what makes FST effective for everyone. FST uses traction to provide maximal length, giving a more complete and optimal stretch. No other form of bodywork is grounded in traction. 50% of your mobility comes from your joint, which is something very difficult to release through stretching your own muscles and tissues. FST tractions the joint at the beginning of every stretch, so you are able to get 50% more mobility than you would on your own. That openness at the base of the stretch is then carried through to the tissues, all the way out to the end of your limb. Traction is the reason clients comment on how deep the stretch feels.
FST also uses undulating rhythmic movements which provides a downregulation to the nervous system. This is why FST is so beneficial in reducing stress, anxiety and allowing for a deeper and better night sleep.
benefits of fascia stretch therapy.
Fascia Stretch Therapy (FST) is a pain-free assisted stretching technique that is one of the quickest, most effective ways to restore physical function, eliminate pain, decrease tightness, increase mobility and flexibility, and improve athletic performance, helping people enjoy active pain free lifestyles.
Decrease pain & tightness
FST offers pain alleviation from joint aches and pain, body tightness/tight muscles, and soft tissue pain.
Increase mobility & Flexibility
FST increases flexibility, agility and functional mobility to give you a higher range of motion.
Improve posture and stability
FST re-aligns fascia for improved posture awareness & body symmetry.
Improve sleep & reduce stress
FST provides a down regulation to the nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving sleep.
Injury Rehab
FST increases blood circulation, breaks up scar tissue, increases the range of motion in injured areas, and strengthens muscles and the fascia.
Injury Prevention
FST can resolve postural imbalances, movement dysfunctions, muscles firing pattern dysfunctions and neural dysfunctions, which can lead to injury if not resolved.
Improved performance
FST can improve your physical performance such as helping you run faster, lift heavier, boost endurance, improve coordination, and increase flexibility.
Faster Recovery
FST improves the blood flow to tired muscles, helping you to recover faster from tough training sessions with less soreness.
FAQs.
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People of all ages with all lifestyles and body types can benefit from FST. Any patient cleared by their physician for stretching and active movement, a desk job employee, a long-distance commuter, a Senior citizen, a chronic pain sufferer, weekend warriors, fitness enthusiasts, athletes of all levels including professionals.
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You will often experience a significant reduction if not resolution in your pain within 1-3 FST sessions.
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Unlike other types of bodywork or self-stretching that just work on the muscles, FST engages the whole myofascial system, by targeting muscles as well as the joints, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Tractioning joints is a huge part of making this therapy work. 50% of your mobility comes from your joint, which is something very difficult to release through stretching your own muscles and tissues. FST tractions the joint in the beginning of every stretch, so you are able to get 50% more mobility than you would on your own. That openness at the base of the stretch is then carried through to the tissues, all the way out to the end of your limb.
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Fascia Stretch Therapy is not painful. It is based on creating a space in which the nervous system can down regulate allowing for greater releases in tension in the muscles and fascia. After, you will feel extremely relaxed and much looser in your joints and muscles.
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This is very dependent on your body, what pain you are experiencing, and what you also do on your own to keep movement and flexibility in your joints and body.
I usually recommend 1-2 times per week when you are experiencing acute pain or discomfort. Once your pain is resolved it is up to you to decide how many times per month you need to come in for maintenance. This is very dependent on what activities you participate in and what your own body care routine is. Some people feel best when they come in 1x per week, others prefer every other week and some 1x per month. We can discuss more during your first appointment if you are unsure what to do.
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After a FST session, you will feel extremely relaxed and much looser in your joints and muscles.
You will also likely have a very relaxing deep sleep the night after your session.
Some people experience soreness the next day after the session. It is completely normal and will dissipate within a day leaving you feeling relaxed and often with less pain and discomfort.
Post-FST Care:
Make sure you drink a lot of water for the rest of the day to help replenish your fascia and muscles with liquids.
It is recommended to take it easy after an FST session, although you are allowed to do mild activity if you would like.
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FST isn't just for people experiencing acute pain. FST increases flexibility, which in itself can prevent injury from sports and physical activities. It is also effective in resolving postural imbalances, movement dysfunctions, muscles firing pattern dysfunctions and neural dysfunctions, which can lead to injury if not resolved. FST improves athletic performance and prevents injury caused by poor movement patterns.
Contact us
48 Saint James Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Hours
By Appointment Only - View availability
Phone
707-217-5619