Used by professional athletes worldwide, Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
safely and effectively stretches and lengthens muscles. It improves posture, mobility and circulation while increasing the elasticity of muscle joints and treating a host of conditions from scoliosis and carpal tunnel syndrome to back ache and foot-arch issues.
AIS allows the practitioner to isolate areas within the body,
and then use a full range of motion movements to contract and strengthen targeted muscles,
while at the same time stretching the opposing muscles.
The result is increased blood flow, muscle strength, joint flexibility and balance.
What is Active Isolated Stretching?
Developed 35 years ago in the USA by rehabilitation and sports medicine expert, Aaron Mattes, the method advocates holding each stretch for only two seconds. This short movement allows the target muscles to actually relax and lengthen without triggering a protective stretch/contraction reflex, which can put strain on surrounding muscles and joints, ultimately leading to tension and trauma.
For years, many experts recommended stretches lasting up to 1 minute; however, overdoing a stretch actually decreases the blood flow to the area, causing lactic acid buildup, and irritating the local muscles, lymph and neural tissues.
Mattes has written several books and produced DVDs on AIS and today his methods are used by athletes, coaches, massage therapists, athletic trainers and health-care professionals to help stretch muscles, repair the body and prepare for daily activity.
For years, many experts recommended stretches lasting up to 1 minute; however, overdoing a stretch actually decreases the blood flow to the area, causing lactic acid buildup, and irritating the local muscles, lymph and neural tissues.
Mattes has written several books and produced DVDs on AIS and today his methods are used by athletes, coaches, massage therapists, athletic trainers and health-care professionals to help stretch muscles, repair the body and prepare for daily activity.
What conditions can AIS help?
AIS improves oxygenation of the muscles, stimulating growth and repair; today it is being used by health professionals to treat more than just muscle strain and fatigue. AIS is also helping with a multitude of conditions including: back pain, bad posture and alignment, poor circulation, stress and anxiety as well as treating diseases such as scoliosis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Back Pain: Eighty percent of back pain is caused by weak abdominal and lower back muscles, by building up the abdominal muscles with crunches, pelvic tilts and half sit-ups much pain and tightness can be relieved. Tight hamstrings can also affect the lower back, to properly stretch the hamstrings, the quadriceps should also be engaged; using a rope or strap while stretching is helpful in this area.
Poor Circulation and Flexibility: AIS stimulates circulation and lymph drainage by actively oxygenating the muscles and surrounding tissue. By increasing the health of muscles, tendons and ligaments AIS promotes flexibility, reducing the risk of muscle strain and tearing and preventing sports injuries from occurring in the first place.
Sprained Ankle and Foot Problems: The gentle and mild AIS stretches for the foot and ankle areas are designed to strengthen and prevent ankle sprains, shin splints and arch problems. The use of a towel, stocking and even resistive weights particularly help in these areas.
Scoliosis: AIS has been successfully used to help treat scoliosis. The therapy sessions effectively combine strengthening exercises for the back, hip, neck and abdominal areas with stretches for muscles in the neck, trunk, hips and pelvis. Seatbelts are often used for stabilization during the sessions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Over the past 30 years thousands of patients have been successfully treated for carpal tunnel syndrome using AIS stretching and strengthening programs. Treatment includes specific stretching for the neck, anterior shoulder/chest muscles and the radioulnar, wrist and hand muscles. AIS offers relief with no surgery needed.
Back Pain: Eighty percent of back pain is caused by weak abdominal and lower back muscles, by building up the abdominal muscles with crunches, pelvic tilts and half sit-ups much pain and tightness can be relieved. Tight hamstrings can also affect the lower back, to properly stretch the hamstrings, the quadriceps should also be engaged; using a rope or strap while stretching is helpful in this area.
Poor Circulation and Flexibility: AIS stimulates circulation and lymph drainage by actively oxygenating the muscles and surrounding tissue. By increasing the health of muscles, tendons and ligaments AIS promotes flexibility, reducing the risk of muscle strain and tearing and preventing sports injuries from occurring in the first place.
Sprained Ankle and Foot Problems: The gentle and mild AIS stretches for the foot and ankle areas are designed to strengthen and prevent ankle sprains, shin splints and arch problems. The use of a towel, stocking and even resistive weights particularly help in these areas.
Scoliosis: AIS has been successfully used to help treat scoliosis. The therapy sessions effectively combine strengthening exercises for the back, hip, neck and abdominal areas with stretches for muscles in the neck, trunk, hips and pelvis. Seatbelts are often used for stabilization during the sessions.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Over the past 30 years thousands of patients have been successfully treated for carpal tunnel syndrome using AIS stretching and strengthening programs. Treatment includes specific stretching for the neck, anterior shoulder/chest muscles and the radioulnar, wrist and hand muscles. AIS offers relief with no surgery needed.
Who should use AIS?
AIS can help those with posture problems, aches and pains, and restricted mobility. It is also particularly effective for those who take part in active pursuits.
Walkers/Runners: Both walking and running are strenuous activities that affect almost every part of the muscular system. Proper stretching preparation decreases the chance of injury, and by warming the muscles, joints and soft connective tissue (fascia) the cardiovascular system is better able to oxygenate muscles decreasing lactic acid build up and fatigue.
Golfers: Flexibility is an integral part of golf; AIS not only helps prevent game injury, it actually improves the power in your golf swing. AIS allows greater range of motion on the back swing in the hips and torso - giving greater power potential to hit the ball further.
Walkers/Runners: Both walking and running are strenuous activities that affect almost every part of the muscular system. Proper stretching preparation decreases the chance of injury, and by warming the muscles, joints and soft connective tissue (fascia) the cardiovascular system is better able to oxygenate muscles decreasing lactic acid build up and fatigue.
Golfers: Flexibility is an integral part of golf; AIS not only helps prevent game injury, it actually improves the power in your golf swing. AIS allows greater range of motion on the back swing in the hips and torso - giving greater power potential to hit the ball further.
Our Practitioners are here:
Tobias Lee, Kate Tong, and Adrian Yahvah