For example, StretchLab, an assisted stretching company based in Irvine, California. The business had 72 locations before the pandemic. Currently, there are more than 150 StretchLab studios in the United States, with more than 600 franchises in development, both in the US and abroad, according to Verdine Baker, president of StretchLab.
“People are starting to look at stretching as that modality that accommodates health and wellness, similar to physical therapy or chiropractic care,” Baker said.
Assisted stretching involves a trained practitioner stretching your body for you, usually in a dedicated facility. Stretches are performed both manually and with specialized equipment. Stretching programs are tailored to individuals and their goals, and may include weekly visits for a month or two. Many facilities also offer group classes, virtual instruction, and more.
Practitioners claim there are numerous benefits to assisted stretching, including increased flexibility, blood circulation, and range of motion. It also helps decrease pain and stiffness, and reduces the risk of injury. Assisted stretching can improve your core strength and posture, and improve your athletic performance while reducing your recovery time. Stretching is even touted as a way to reduce stress levels, improve sleep, and increase energy.
With such a wide range of benefits, it’s no surprise that StretchLab’s customers range in age from 4 to 90+, encompassing individuals as varied as sedentary individuals, individuals with movement disorders and neuromuscular diseases, and professional athletes.
“Most of them are ordinary people who have gone through life normalizing things like back pain and neck pain,” Baker said. “But those pains aren’t normal. Something isn’t moving right. These are the kind of people we’re helping.”
Guidance and consistency
While people have the ability to stretch effectively on their own, and that’s the ultimate goal at many assisted stretching venues, that usually doesn’t happen, said Jeff Brannigan, co-founder and director of programs at Stretch*d, a New York-based assisted stretching company. Town.
“People tend not to stretch, or they stretch the wrong way,” he said. “They tend to hold positions for too long or force themselves into positions they’re not ready for, which can have adverse effects on the body.”
Also, people simply cannot perform certain stretches on their own, nor can they achieve as deep a stretch as a professional.
Not much research has yet been done on the effectiveness of assisted stretching versus individual stretching. And some of the studies that have been done offer contradictory or useless results.
what science says
The jury is out on whether assisted stretching is better than unassisted stretching, said Rami Hashish, founder of the National Institute for Biomechanics, based in Santa Monica, California. Still, that doesn’t mean that assisted stretching has no value.
“Many find it difficult to not only stick to a consistent stretching routine, but also push themselves when they stretch,” she said. “With that in mind, if going to an assisted stretching center helps you stay consistent, it can be absolutely beneficial.”
Not just for pain control.
If you’re wondering if assisted stretching might be helpful for you, Brannigan recommends trying it, even if you don’t experience specific pain. That’s because many people have much narrower body areas than they realize, she said. And second, most of us sit too much, a major health issue.
“Sitting all the time is like a ticking time bomb,” Brannigan said. “If you compare the stress you put on your body to the stress an athlete puts on his body, it’s much easier to help the athlete, because the stress on his body comes from activity and movement.”
Whether you’re trying assisted stretching for injury, improved mobility, or just out of curiosity, Hashish urged caution. “Just because you’re getting help with stretching doesn’t mean you should overdo it,” he said. “So be sure to constantly communicate your pain and limitations to your stretching doctor so they can put you in the best position to help you.”
It’s too early to tell if assisted stretching is just another fad, but Baker is convinced it’s here to stay. Assisted stretching helped him recover after four knee surgeries ended his hopes of a professional football career, so he personally experienced the benefits of it. He also hears the praise from StretchLab customers.
“They tell us how it’s helping them with their mobility, flexibility and range of motion, allowing them to do the things that make them happy, like hiking or playing golf,” he said. “If something helps people do the things they love to do, it’s an easy call.”
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