Therapeutic Stretching

Therapeutic Stretching focuses on the use of both active and passive stretching as part of the rehabilitation of common musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Covering all forms of stretches for the able-bodied, injured, and selected special populations, Therapeutic Stretching is a comprehensive resource for practitioners and students working in massage therapy, osteopathy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation, and personal and athletic training. With both active and passive stretches outlined for a range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, Therapeutic Stretching offers a range of rehabilitative stretches for the foot and ankle, knee and leg, hip and thigh, upper limb, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers, and back and neck. Author Jane Johnson, a practicing physiotherapist, sport massage therapist, and body work instructor, provides information on incorporating passive stretching as a treatment option and selecting appropriate active stretches for clients to practice at home. Heavily illustrated with more than 230 color photos, Therapeutic Stretching provides excellent visual instruction on client positioning and the most effective handholds for the application of passive stretches to various joints and soft tissues. A user-friendly format, clear explanations of stretching techniques, and visual guidance from photos help students and practitioners readily incorporate these stretches into their practice. Therapeutic Stretching outlines the rationale for stretching after musculoskeletal injury along with general safety guidelines and an overview of the musculoskeletal conditions addressed in the text. Also included is a discussion of the differences between and applications of passive, active, and advanced forms of stretching such as muscle energy technique (MET) and soft tissue release (STR). Readers of Therapeutic Stretching will find a 10-step process for designing, implementing, and assessing a stretching program. The text discusses applications of therapeutic stretching for three special populations: elderly clients, pregnant women, and athletes. For each, a listing of common physiological factors or characteristics that might affect a stretching program is included, along with tips on modifications to employ when working with these individuals. Following this foundational information are three chapters with photos and descriptions of active and passive stretches for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions of the lower limbs, upper limbs, and trunk. Here readers will find stretches useful for treating injuries and conditions such as sprained ankles, shin splints, runner’s knee, tight calves or hamstrings, adhesive capsulitis, lateral epicondylitis, stiff wrists, kyphosis, low back pain, stiff neck, and whiplash. Special Tip boxes throughout the text offer guidance on modifying the stretches and techniques to meet the needs of individual clients. Tables detail the passive and active stretches covered in each chapter and indicate whether a stretch is contraindicated for a particular injury or condition. Following most chapters are five Quick Questions that assist readers in gauging their understanding of the content. In addition, Therapeutic Stretching includes a visual guide to stretching routines that could be performed in the prone, supine, and seated positions. These suggested routines assist students and practitioners new to therapeutic stretching in learning to apply these stretches in an efficient manner and without excessive repositioning of the client. Therapeutic Stretching offers a range of stretches to assist both current and future practitioners in safely treating clients rehabilitating from musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Delivering the most up-to-date stretching techniques, this guide is a valuable resource for professionals in health care, rehabilitation, fitness, and body work seeking tools to assist their clients in alleviating muscular pain, reducing joint stiffness, and speeding recovery from injury. Therapeutic Stretching is part of the Hands-On Guides for Therapists series, providing tools of assessment and treatment that fall well within the realm of massage therapists but may be useful for other body workers, such as osteopaths and fitness instructors. The guides include full-color instructional photographs, Tips sections that provide advice on adjusting massage techniques, Client Talk boxes that present ideas for creatively applying techniques for various types of clients, and questions that test knowledge and skill.

Prepared by an international authority, Therapeutic Stretching: Towards a Functional Approach offers a highly accessible account of the latest information regarding the role of therapeutic stretching in the management of restricted range of movement (ROM) disorders. Richly illustrated throughout, this exciting new volume covers the physiological basis of stretching, explores its classification and examines what is normal and abnormal in terms of ROM. Chapters then explain the processes that are associated with ROM loss and recovery as well as what makes stretching effective. The experience of pain, sensitization and pain tolerance in relation to stretching and ROM recovery are also discussed. Embracing the latest scientific research, this revolutionary book debunks many traditionally accepted stretching theories and associated techniques and supplants them with a more robust, scientifically valid system of practice. Accompanied by a range of practical on-line videos and over 150 photographs, this volume will be ideal for all manual and physical therapists, sports and personal trainers, and athletes who require special movement ranges. "This is a highly enjoyable and well presented book that I recommend for any clinician from student to experienced practitioner. It is suitable for all physiotherapists, manual therapists, sports physiotherapists/therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports scientists, athletes and patients who would like to understand, recover and improve their range and ease of movement." Reviewed by: Jimmy Reynolds, Head of Sports Medicine - Academy, Ipswich Town Football Club, Date: Oct 14 Helps transform thinking about the therapeutic value of stretching and how it is best applied in the clinical setting Examines the difference between therapeutic and recreational stretching Focuses on the use of stretching in conditions where individuals experience a loss in range of movement (ROM) Explores what makes stretching effective, identifying behaviour as a main driving force for adaptive changes Discusses the experience of pain, sensitization and pain tolerance in relation to stretching and ROM recovery Contains over 150 photographs and 45 minutes of video describing this new revolutionary approach Applicable to a variety of perspectives including osteopathy, chiropractic, physical therapy, sports and personal trainers Ideal for experienced practitioners as well as those taking undergraduate and postgraduate courses

"The text provides a useful overview of PNF stretching - safe and easy-to-use method that involves stretching the muscle, contracting it isometrically against resistance, then stretching it again to a new range of motion." "Whether you're a fitness professional, therapist, coach, athlete, or student, Facilitated Stretching, Third Edition, will help you assess current muscle function, improve range of motion, increase strength, reduce overuse injuries, and enhance performance."--BOOK JACKET.

Deeper Still is the next stage of an ongoing process and a consequence of further inquiry into the yoga experience from author John Stirk. Following on from The Original Body this book invites an even deeper immersion into the reality of practice and the totality of personal experience in accessing the power of our inner teacher.As the theme of this book unfolds the reader is invited towards a sensory understanding leading to profound insight. Teachers using this book will be able to share with their students the clarity, mental space and basic wisdom that emerges as a result of their awakening physiology. We may frequently acknowledge that we are there with the group. Experience may tell us that 'there-ness' is not fixed, that it is based on an unknown element upon which all creativity is founded. Deeper Still goes beyond current experience and invites teachers to write their own story, develop their own script, ride the uncatchable wave that might be called yoga, and open up creativity to the next level.Deeper Still enables teachers to take their students to a deeper dimension. It also:provides a basis for off the chart experiencesappeals to the depth mind through a deepening physical experienceinvites a more profound contact with groupsbrings out the essence of yoga in students as a consequence of a deeper creativityhighlights emergent insight as a feature of group workblends an ancient concept with modern western yogadraws attention to the relationship between soft tissue sensitivity and the quality of xonsciousnessexamines the potential for abundant resonance in group work and the so called 'universal experience'

Covering all forms of stretches for able-bodied, injured and selected special populations, this book is a comprehensive resource for both practitioners and students of massage therapy, osteopathy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, rehabilitation and personal training.

Integrated Sports Massage Therapy is a highly illustrated evidence-based handbook which presents a wide range of effective sports massage techniques to cover any sports-related situation. Anders Jelveus explains and applies effective techniques from a variety of disciplines of manual therapy, ranging from commonly used sports massage strokes to more advanced concepts for real-life effective sports massage treatments. The presented techniques serve as a great addition for any therapist seeking to work with athletes, and are suitable for pre-event, post-event, inter-event, and in remedial sports massage therapy. This unique book offers a comprehensive presentation of sports massage therapy including: Sports massage history Basic sports massage strokes and work postures Sports massage applications Event-based sports massage treatment guidelines Sports-specific massage treatment recommendations Therapeutic muscle stretching techniques Therapeutic muscle stretching applied to specific muscle groups Positional Release Techniques (PRT) Acupressure and Tui Na techniques with applications Myofascial release techniques Connective tissue massage Lymphatic drainage massage Myofascial Trigger Point etiology and treatment techniques Sports injuries Athletic taping Remedial Sports massage applications Athletic self massage techniques. The book is suitable for all manual therapy students and practitioners, whether novice or advanced, including massage therapists, physical therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, naprapaths, naturopaths and acupuncturists.

Facilitated Stretching, Fourth Edition, examines techniques and guidelines for PNF stretches in a variety of settings. Stretches are demonstrated on a treatment table, mat on the floor, chair, cable-pulley machine, and weightlifting bench. Stretches are grouped according to each joint, and the majority of the stretches include both a partner stretch version and a self-stretch version. As in previous editions, specific routines are included for cycling, golf, running, swimming, throwing and racket sports, and now ice hockey. It also includes general stretches for everyday use, plus stretches for those with “rusty hinges.” These ready-made stretching routines make it easy to incorporate facilitated stretching into a workout regimen and take the guesswork out of organizing a stretching routine to match the needs of a specific sport.

The new standard in fitness books, featuring hundreds of at-home stretches and exercises. At last, the first complete, fully illustrated compendium of stretching and exercises for every part of the body, backed by the experience and medical and scientific authority of the American Physical Therapy Association. Each exercise in the book has been prepared and reviewed by a special editorial board, chaired by Dr. Marilyn Moffat, president emeritus of the APTA, and widely considered to be the preeminent expert in the field. Broken down into three major sections, The American Physical Therapy Association Book of Body Repair and Maintenance first offers illustrated descriptions of the structure and mechanics of each major body part, explaining what can go wrong and how to properly care for that area. A middle section provides general information on posture, body mechanics, weight control, aerobic conditioning, and maintenance programs. Each chapter references the main part of the book, the catalog of exercises.