Fascial Stretch Therapy
Dynamic yet gentle approach to full body stretch that incorporates distraction, movement in multiple planes, and breathwork. The stretch approach has been used on NFL and Olympic athletes for improved performance but is also valuable for restricted joints and tight muscles with all body types and activity levels.
What is FST (Fascial Stretch Therapy™)?
Ann Frederick developed a unique brand of stretching while studying at Arizona State University in 1995. She was in the Dance and Exercise Science departments and found that research on stretching to be quite deficient. She developed a table-base, assisted stretching regimen using a proprietary belt system and found her approach to be pain free with lasting effects. This system for stretching has 10 primary principles by which the therapists are taught and follow throughout the session, whether they are addressing the lower or upper body. Fascial Stretch Therapy has a dance like quality to it with traction/distraction being paramount to the success of its results.
Ann and Chris Frederick founded The Stretch to Win Institute in Tempe, Arizona in 1999. They have an intense training program for various body workers and healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, and personal trainers. Participants are expected to test both with a written and hands-on demonstration at the end of each level completed. In addition, practitioners take a yearly written exam to renew their license.
Kath Anne is a Level 2 practitioner of Fascial Stretch Therapy.
But. . . .what is Fascia??
The word “fascia” in Latin means a band or bandage. It is important to understand that fascia is a weblike connective tissue made from loosely packed collagen fibers found throughout the body. It surrounds and attaches to our muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs of the body. Fascial traditionally was thought to be a useless wrapping or binding substance around muscles and was discarded during dissection. Scientists and anatomists have discovered that this tissue is a complex, interconnected system that has an effect on the health of our musculoskeletal, circulatory, and organ systems. In its normal states, fascia has a wavy configuration giving it the ability to stretch and move in various planes. Intramuscular connective tissue has at least 3 functions: First, it provides a framework that binds the muscle together and ensures the proper alignment of muscle fibers, blood vessels, nerves, etc. Second, it enables forces to be transmitted by the whole tissue safely and effectively. Third, it provides the necessary lubrication between muscles fibers and muscle fiber bundles to allow that muscle to change shape.
With physical stress, poor postural habits, and lack of motion (immobility) fascia can become restricted or develop adhesions causing joint compression, increased muscle tone, scar tissue formation and decreased blood flow. Fascial stretching tries to combat this by utilizing traction/distraction, movement in various planes, and “the stretch wave” to affect the neuromyofascial system.