Active Isolated Stretching

Traditionally , stretching has been divided into two types ;Short hold before and after exercise ( 15 20 secs )

Long hold to increase flexibility ( 30 secs + )

AIS differs from this mode in that the stretches are only held for1 2 secs but repeated 10 12 times . The idea behind it is that , unlike the traditional method , blood flow and waste removal to and from the muscle is not reduced and the protective stretch reflex does not fire ( this is a part of the nervous system that locks the muscle to prevent damage ) . This enables greater flexibility to be gained faster than any other method . This system was devised by the American therapist Aaron Mattes and is fast becoming the new way to stretch .

Aaron Mattes at work

The same rules apply as regards long and short hold stretches but with this procedure ( for example , a leg stretch ) ;

Short Hold

Stretch one leg 10 times ( this gives a 15 - 20 sec. Stretch )

Repeat on the other leg

Long Hold

Repeat the two stretches again ( this gives a 30 - 40 sec. Stretch on each leg ) .

Another facet of this method is that instead of simply pulling to stretch the muscle you also deliberately contract the opposite muscle this switches off the nervous system in the muscle being stretched and allows more movement i.e. for a tricep stretch ;

The bicep is first flexed and this is sustainedduring the stretch

The muscle is then moved into a relaxed position this allows new blood to enter in the above case you would drop the arm then repeat the process with each successive stretch you will gain a little more movement each time .For many of the stretches ropes are used to apply pressure ;

To go into any more detail on individual muscle stretches is beyond the scope of this article there are , for instance , more than a dozen different stretches for the hamstrings alone ! There are many videos on YouTube but to seriously study this method log onto Aaron Mattes' website and buy the book , although the wording can be a bit technical you would be better to go to a therapist who is familiar with the system .

Injury RehabilitationThis is where AIS will probably have its greatest impact because it is such a gentle technique and one where the injured person is totally in control of the amount of stretch applied ( and , with this method , the individual muscle can be targeted ) the time to full recovery is lessened .

Degenerative ConditionsMany therapists who work in the treatment fields of of polio , Parkinson's , ms , strokes etc. and who use AIS have reported almost miracle-like improvements in their patient's conditions it is thought that the fact that active facet of the stretch ( contracting the muscle ) actually kick-starts the nervous system into forming new neural pathways allowing them to regain the use of their limbs .

The use of AIS is beginning to work it's way into many treatment modalities and no doubt , in the future , therapists will find new uses for the system already it's use as a preventative tool is becoming widespread for people who type or use their hands for repetitive fine work , they find that AIS can free themselves from the fear of serious conditions such as carpel tunnel syndrome . It may well become a milestone in soft tissue treatment .

Val O'HalloranMassage Therapist