Fascial Stretch Therapy vs Functional Stretch Therapy

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Fascial Stretch Therapy vs Functional Stretch Therapy

Well, are you looking for a stretch session to help you decrease aches & pains(from injury), or maybe improve your performance, range of motion/mobility in your joints & all other health benefits?

Fitness enthusiasts, & athletes, you're in luck as we are the only ones who are accredited in Singapore to offer Functional Stretch Therapy, & Fascial Stretch Therapy(fst), & which one should you choose, & which is a better solution for you? This article aims to provide clarity of the type of stretch therapies in sports medicine so that you will have the best results for your visit with us.

Does fascial stretch therapy(fst) work?

Its been shown by thousands of people to improve your range of motion, the creator of fascial stretch therapy(Chirs & Ann Frederick) has done numerous research along with some of the most renowned people in the world of fascia(connective tissue), namely Tom Myers, Schielp, & many others, & have since released another new book(updated with more research). It a widely accepted by those in the medical field(doctors) that this emerging way of manual therapy, outweighs the risks involved.

What is fascial stretch therapy?

Fascial stretch therapy(fst) is a one to one stretching technique that engages the fascial planes of tissue tightness on the body as a whole rather than the conventional stretches you would think of & holding it for 20-30 secs. It's aimed not only for an athlete but everyone from kids to adults thanks to its gentle stretches. The training takes 5 days in Arizona(stretch to win institute). The techniques are used widely in physiotherapy, & fitness trainers. The treatment takes place on a massage table with you in different positions to allow access to different part of your body

What is Functional Stretch Therapy?

Unlike, Fascial Stretch Therapy(fst), ​the session is not only about stretching but there is an element of bodywork, of doing manual therapy(think massage therapy), on parts that are stretching to help improve blood circulation, recovery, performance, & range of motion. It also serves to help balance the body through light exercises with the therapist to help gain back function, & relief pressure on the nerves. Most movement during the stretch session also aims to give back the fascia both hydration of nutrient-rich fluids, & elasticity of your muscles, & other connective tissues(just like exercise). By doing so, it may help with pain relief from back pain, post-training sessions, as the stretching used during the stretch session are adapted for your body.

The difference between the former is that training to be qualified, takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks based on theory & application of the techniques, conditions, & goals fo the individual, & that the therapists' focus is to give traction to each joint capsule, improving ligaments/ tendons that have tightened up & may have an increase in scar tissue(reasons which cause muscle dysfunction, pain, & restrictions).

The therapist skillfully works via the feedback of feeling tissue tension while stretching your body that may have been caused by sports injury/ injuries, or just having been sedentary for too long(poor posture). Something we don think about often is the fact that the body(fascia) adapts & long behold, we mould ourselves into whatever posture we hold in life.

How often should i see a functional stretch therapist?

More often than not people ask this question. If you're having pain/aches that have been with you for more than three months, you would be best visiting 3 time a week, & slowly taper it down weekly to allow your body to adapt, getting stronger, & increase elasticity in every muscles group. 

Areas that our stretch therapist looks into during treatments for clients/ patients:

• Hip complex
• Head/ neck
• Spine
• Overall posture
• Shoulder
• Alignments of bones
• Fascia(connective tissues)
• Visceral organs

What is therapeutic stretching?

In short, any form of stretching used by massage therapist, fitness, & health professionals which uses the idea or methods to increase relaxation is a form of therapeutic stretching(eg fst session), as such, stretching is commonly used as therapy in sports medicine. A list of non-exhaustive benefits are outlined below: 

• Improved energy
• lower stress levels
• Faster recovery from soreness
• Improved strength
• Improved blood flow
• Improved fascia elasticity 
• Improved sleep
• Improved healing
• Both types of stretching aims at releasing muscles, & pain by working
• Pain free
• Improved flexibility 

Does stretching help with flexibility?

Yes & no. See, the simple fact that when you are doing your stretches, your brain(nervous system) is still not slowed down to help facilitate lengthening of the muscles, as there are many contributing factors why your range is not improving. 

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