Active Isolated Stretching(AIS)
Our Core modality

Our focus and primary treatment technique at Stretch is Active Isolated Stretching.

AIS involves muscle rehabilitation and injury prevention using a scientific approach to stretching, as developed by Aaron Mattes in Florida, USA for the last 35 years. Through reciprocal innervation of muscles that are actively contracted, the antagonist muscles will be relaxed and therefore safely stretched so as to increase joint and muscle mobility.

This method of muscle lengthening and fascial release provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups, and importantly functional and physiological restoration of superficial and deep fascial planes. With AIS, we  work on increasing flexibility and re-aligning posture to relieve pain and discomfort. Treatment can also boost sports performance and reduce long term wear and tear from poor postural symmetry. Due to the fundamental principles of this technique it is quite gentle and people are only taken to their individual body's natural barriers, making it suitable for just about anyone, including those rehabilitating, and for those with busy lifestyles, poor posture or mobility it an make a big difference.  

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Strength Training

All our therapists are Certified and highly experienced Personal Trainers. Their level of qualifications and knowledge in both physical therapy, manual therapy and strength training make them the ultimate fitness coaches for those who require quality training, fast results in a bespoke, "anti-gym" environment. Train effectively for optimum health without breaking a sweat. No shower require.

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Other modalities we use:

Our therapists at Stretch use a variety of bodywork techniques to further enhance treatments. Some of these techniques include:

Alexander Technique

Alexander Technique is the ultimate in posture correction and maintenance. Correct posture and body mechanics are the foundation of a healthy spine and muscular system. Using very simple awareness cues in combination with input from the AT practitionner, you can optimize your posture and movement patterns.

Neuromuscular therapy (N.M.T.)

We identify, through the assessment of your posture, symptomatic pain patterns, the muscles that are short and unusually contracted.We locate the points of origin and insertion of these muscles and use deep palpation skills to slow down the neurological activity being supplied to them. This, in turn, will slow down the contractions of the muscles enabling them to return to their original length. This technique is recommended if you suffer posture related compression syndromes.

Soft tissue mobilisation

Soft Tissue Mobilisation is a form of therapy where we work the joints in the body to relieve muscle inflammation and contraction. This form of therapy can be gentle or deep depending on where the therapist is working. It is very effective in treating injuries and postural deficiencies. It comes from an osteopathic base. Because it is based on this medical model, this form of therapy is a very powerful treatment. Also, because it is very closely associated with postural deficiencies, it compliments the A.I.S. approach, in evaluating and alleviating these deficiencies.

Myofacial release

As developed in the USA by John Barnes, this work is designed to open up the fascia that covers every structure in the body. By using a force/ counterforce across the fascial planes it will assist in releasing the holding patterns and therefore assist in the breakdown of scarring allowing a greater range of movement. It can be used in the deeper structures of the joint as well as the superficial muscular layers. It is used in post-injury therapy to break down scarring from surgery.

>>Frequently Asked Questions...