Fascial Stretching and Structural Integration

Expert Discussion Recovery and Regeneration
141

I don’t have much time these days - so justa quick line or two on this -

First of all Flash - thanks for the contribution to the board, I never got around to thanking you for the document.

My views on flexibility …

For athletes I really only reccomend 3 stretching approaches:

  • Dynamic
  • AIS
  • Microstretching

The dynamic is self explanantory and is more viewed as an extensive and comphrehensive warmup rather than flexibility or ROM work per se.

AIS I feel has much benefit for athletes, moreso than many other approaches. I like it because the danger of injury or microtrauma is very reduced, unlike with PNF where many athletes use excessive force from time to time causing more injury than is necessary, particularly in the immediate rehab stages post injury.
There are other performance based aspects to AIS I like. I also make one or two slight changes to the AIS approach that I feel benefit my athletes a little better.

PNF - and I have nothign against it - is a wonderful tool and I use it in widely, but for ‘self application’ I have poor expereinces.
Far too often I have seen athletes using slightly incorrect angles and far too much force. As with anything - used correctly it is very effective. I’ve used it with and as an adjunct to ART and It’s a very effective tool.

Microstretching is very good on a number of fronts, particlaurly in a 2-3 hour post workout window post rehydration, restoration of nutrients and immediate acute inflamation - if any - has subsided.

Of the sources:

As I said above I really like Mattes work, his exthusiasm is infectious, and it’s relatively easy to teach, injury potential is quite low.

Kurz - now there’s a blast from the past!! One of the first books I used, very good and a great start for anyone starting out. I’m talkingn about ‘Stretchign Scientifically’ not the more recent book.

McAtee - a very good book

Anderson - another good starting point

Chaitow - very good books, though alot of repeat in many of his books - just check before you buy one that you’re not buying the same stuff again but with only 1 or 2 extra chapters.

Pavel - Yes Comrade I have the secrets for super flexibility just pay me 80 USD - This guy is a master at marketing. Sure he has the odd great idea or concept - but as soemone famous once said - “Who have you trained?” Spetsnaz? -hmmm- I’m not doubting his integrity (entirely) but - How many of them have won the 100ms in the past 20 yrs?

I won’t comment on Voyuer or anyone else I’m not familiar with.

I’ve tried techniques similar to the Jumpstretch approach on the WS video, but again I have no direct experience of the JS approach so I can’t comment - but definietly interesting.

Sorry that’s all for now - flat out!!!.

142

I can’t understand a serious therapist who can get someone in and out of a clinic in 15 mins -

Granted - unless the athlete is lost or looking for an immediate miracle he is really missing something IMO

I’ve spent literally hours with some patients, sorting out a whole load of issues. Of course not for nothing - but too many people just focus on money as the determining factor - not a genuine interest in the client.

143

When you refer to PNF, I assume you mean the various isometric contract-relax methods, not the spiral-diagonal movements/stretches.

When I think of PNF, I think mostly of the patterns, not the contraction methods.

144

Just a quick update regarding the article I wrote on myofascial stretching. I sent Dr. Voyer a revised copy of the article for him to review and have received his comments and corrections as well as his permission to post it on the forum.

The revised version does not contain as many example stretches, but it still covers all the major muscles and devotes more discussion to contrasting the myofascial stretches with more conventional approaches (which was my original intention). The descriptions of the stretches also have some clarifications and additional details provided by Dr. Voyer.

Once I’ve made the corrections I’ll forward it to Rupert for posting. I’ll try to start a completely new thread specifically dedicated to the article.

Rucsandra Mitrea also told me several of her colleagues associated with the Sutherland Academy of Osteopathy (where Guy Voyer teaches) are interested in the article. So hopefully they will register with the forum and jump in on the discussion. They will be far more qualified to answer any questions than I am.

145

For those who are interested in learning more about fascial anatomy, I stumbled across these web sites.

http://anatomy.uams.edu/anatomyhtml/fascia_alpha.html

http://www.rsi-therapie.nl/fascia.html

146

I’ve forwarded the revised myofascial stretching article to Rupert for posting. I’m not too sure how long it will be before a link is set up for it. In the meantime, anyone who wants a copy just post or send me your email address and I’ll forward you a copy.

To repeat, this version has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Voyer, so feel free to pass it along.

147

Try this web site? On fascial stretching

click here

in it, it tells about Muscle memory and facial stretching and how they are and can be combined.

148

Hey Flash anyway of posting the Fascial stretching program again I looked thru the post and couldn’t find the link for it?

149

http://www.charliefrancis.com/community/showthread.php?t=11440

Here’s the link to the thread covering the article. I’ve been meaning to update it since I took Guy Voyer’s course, but I just haven’t had the time or energy.

I should point out that Guy’s approach has nothing in common with John Parillo’s. As far as I’m concerned, the only thing Parillo’s stretching method does is overstress the joint capsules. In fact, when you perform Guy’s stretches, the range of motion of the stretches is quite modest because you’re performing all of the counteractions of the muscle simultaneously.

150

thnx for the link.

Now with the fascial stretching how long do you hold each posture for? Is there a protocol for this type of stretching? Extremely interested in any type of fascial stretching, linkage, release, as my body is pretty jacked up from years of poor treatment and recovery planning. Unfortunately not sure if there is anywhere in Calgary that any quality work can be found. If anyone knows of anyone can you post.

151

Guy’s recommendation is 3 holds of 30 seconds each. But that can be difficult with some of the stretches, especially if you’re just starting out. Also, it depends on how many stretches you’re trying to do in a session and how much time you have. I know about 110 stretches from Guy’s system. Needless to say, trying to do them all for 3 30-sec. holds in one session is not practical.

You also have to make a distinction between remedial work that is intended to address specific restrictions and maintenance work. My recommendation repeatedly has been to experiment with any protocols you would normally use with static stretching.

Once you understand Guy’s approach you realize that it’s not radically different from standard static stretching. He simply teaches more about muscle functions than you normally learn from other sources, which allows you to be more precise when targeting a muscle, plus you learn how to anchor the fascial sheath which adds an extra dimension to the stretches.