Fascia Stretch Therapy

WHAT IS FST?

Fascia Stretch Therapy® or FST®,is a gentle pain free form of assisted stretching that is very relaxing and therapeutic for the client that targets the connective tissue(fascia). The pain free approach to stretching creates space for the body to relax and stop protecting. This is the gateway into the parasympathetic nervous system(rest and digest/chill mode), which is where healing takes place. It consists of system of manual, assisted stretch techniques that includes comprehensive joint capsule, fascial and muscular stretching targeting the entire fascial network.

FST® was developed by Chris and Ann Fredrick at the STRETCH TO WIN INSTITUTE in Pheonix, Arizona. Ann Frederick was the first "flexibility specialist" to work with athletes at the Olympics in the US 1996, and developed this way of stretching aiming to improve every aspect of athletic performance and recovery.

FST has helped a wide range of people from professional athletes to everyday clients with a variety of chronic, unresponsive pain conditions, strength imbalances and other common neuromusculoskeletal disorders.

Some of the many benefits include:

• Reduction in pain

• Down regulate the nervous system (think rest and digest AKA chill mode)

• Assists in rehab, sports performance and recovery!

• Improve circulation

• Restore range of motion

• Improve quality of sleep 

• Improve scar adhesions and restore movement

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATIC STRETCHING (traditional stretching) AND FST®

Static assisted stretching is when an isolated muscle or muscle group is taken to end range where it is then held for commonly between 15 -30 secs and then repeated 2-3 times pushing deeper each time. It can be very uncomfortable and at times even painful with short term gains and results. 

VS

FST® works from joint capsule level and out to the entire myofascial network which includes muscles as well as their neighbouring joints, ligaments, tendons, and bones. We use joint traction combined with a series of wave-like movements in a dynamic gentle rhythm working with the client to progress their range, because of our pain free approach we access the parasympathetic nervous system where the body stops protecting and guarding and we can access new ranges with ease. The idea is the stretch should be enjoyable, comfortable and relaxing. This ensures long term gains and results. 

FST® is different than what we think of as traditional stretching or manual therapy in that it is more functional and dynamic. Unlike traditional stretching or bodywork that only attempts to work on muscles, FST ® targets the entire myofascial system by targeting muscles as well as their neighboring joints, ligaments, tendons, and bones to eliminate pain, improve mobility, restore impaired function & optimize athletic performance.

NO PAIN NO GAIN is an old school approach. Try taking our NO PAIN NO STRAIN approach and rediscover just how much potential for change you body truly has.

WE ASSESS WHAT WE NEED TO STRETCH BASED ON FASCIAL NETS/ANATOMY TRAINS OF THE BODY.

Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians can be used to see how pain in your neck may be connected to an imbalance in your pelvis, or the tightness hips may be connected to the lack of movement in your feet.

The Anatomy Trains Myofascial Meridians are connections through the fascial fabric of your body. They are potential lines of pull which can distribute strain, transmit force and affect the structure and function of your body.