Learn why, when, and how to use stretching, therapeutic exercise and range of motion (ROM) techniques with your clients and/or patients:

• Client benefits and risks for stretching and range of motion (ROM)
• Client assessment using stretching & range of motion (ROM)
• Physical medicine techniques for massage therapists

Stretching, or myotasis, represents an integral part of many forms of manual soft-tissue therapy, including medical massage, sports massage, and many Eastern bodywork forms such as Shiatsu and Thai Yoga Massage.

Why is there so much controversy over the effectiveness of stretching?
How do you bill an insurance provider for stretching therapies?
When should you use a particular technique? Why?

These courses offer the massage therapist an understanding of the importance of stretching, with an emphasis on body awareness and learning to stretch safely. The course introduces participants to both the benefits and risks of stretching programs. Participants begin to develop safe stretching techniques that they can apply to themselves. They learn how to safely stretch themselves to improve or maintain their flexibility and range of motion.

Participants will learn to:

• Define stretching, flexibility, and range of motion
• Explain the limits to normal flexibility and range of motion
• Explain potential risks and precautions for stretching
• Describe the benefits and therapeutic value of stretching
• Compare the relationship of stretching to massage
• Describe different characteristics of stretching techniques
• Demonstrate simple self-stretches
• Develop a personal routine to incorporate stretching into daily activities
• Identify reference materials to gain additional knowledge about stretching

A HALF-DAY introductory class focuses on safety and static self-stretching techniques.

A FULL-DAY basic workshop offers an introduction to Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), including demonstration and practice,

NO PREREQUSITES REQUIRED

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This course address stretching, range of motion (ROM) and flexibility testing as an assessment technique for use by the manual therapist. Participants practice ROM assessment on a partner. The course also offers a discussion of stretch reflexes and a demonstration of different stretching techniques that utilize these reflexes. The course also introduces the use of stretching in sports and medical massage.

Participants will learn to:

• Define the role of Range of Motion in client assessment and progress reporting
• Assess a partner using Range of Motion as an observation tool
• Explain various types of stretch reflexes
• Discuss the differences between the major types of stretching techniques
• Discuss how to effectively incorporate ROM assessment into a massage routine
• Demonstrate assessment and/or types of assisted stretching with a partner
• Address the role of stretching and ROM in physical medicine & medical massage

The HALF-DAY introductory class focuses on stretching and range of motion (ROM) as a client assessment technique for the therapist.

The FULL-DAY basic workshop offers additional demonstration and practice with assisted stretching, including Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) and Active Isolated Stretching (AIS).

PREREQUSITES: Stretching Safely OR Instructor Approval

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These courses provide hands-on introduction to common stretching massage techniques frequently used in physical medicine, with an emphasis on medical, sports and therapeutic massage. Stretching comprises a major component of most neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release techniques, and many forms of Eastern bodywork.

Participants will learn to:

• Understand the differences among muscle facilitation, myofascial release, and connective tissue stretching
• Demonstrate and practice one or more of the following assisted stretching techniques with a partner:
  • Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
  • Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
  • Post Isometric Release (PIR)
  • Positional Release Techniques
• Discuss how to effectively incorporate stretching, range of motion and positional release into existing manual therapy routines

PREREQUSITES: Stretching Safely AND Client Assessment & Stretching
OR Instructor Approval

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