Don’t Go It Alone: Facilitated Stretching

Information about Stretching Exercise

You would like to get into shape, and you decided that the way to being doing so is to do some stretching. You try some stretching exercises on you own, but you end up pulling several muscles.

This is something that many people have done before you, so there is no need to feel embarrassed by this on your quest to fitness. However, it is important that you don’t strain your muscles anymore, so you should try facilitated stretching.

About Facilitated Stretching

Facilitated stretching is stretching that you do actively while being assisted by someone during the stretching exercises. Facilitated stretching uses isometric work and motion to enhance motor learning, as well as improve flexibility.

There are three main steps in facilitated stretching. The first step is to lengthen (in an active manner) the selected muscle. The second step is to contract that selected muscle in an isometric manner. The third step is to once again lengthen the selected muscle.

A common misconception with stretching is that the more you feel muscle pain during the stretch, the more your muscle is benefiting from it. Actually, the pain you feel is because you are pushing your muscle beyond its limits, and thus are at risk for tearing it.

With facilitated stretching, the goal is to stretch the muscle in a comfortable manner. You might have noticed that your muscle becomes tight after you feel pain from stretching it. This is because the muscle contracts to prevent tearing.

In order to do facilitated stretching effectively, you should first begin by stretching the selected muscles as far as you (without pain) can. Your facilitator, depending on the strength of your leg, might hold your knee while you are doing this stretch.

Another important element of facilitated stretching is breathing. It is important to take deep (but not too deep) breaths while you are stretching, as that increased blood flow and helps focus the stretches.

Another job that the facilitator will have during your stretching exercise is to act as a form of resistance. The facilitator, for example, will hold your leg against his or her shoulder. This is an important aspect of isometric stretching.

If you would like to make facilitated stretching a part of your workout routine, have an experienced friend help you. Or, enlist the help of a personal trainer. With the proper technique, your muscles are sure to benefit from this type of exercise.