Take, for example, Stretch Lab, a stretch support company headquartered in Irvine, California. There were 72 locations in this business before the pandemic. According to StretchLab President Verdine Baker, there are currently more than 150 StretchLab studios nationwide, and more than 600 franchises are being developed both in the United States and abroad.
“People are starting to see stretch as a modality that fits health and wellness, as well as physiotherapy and chiropractic care,” Baker said.
Assisted stretching is generally a dedicated facility and involves a trained practitioner stretching your body for you. Stretching is done both manually and with special equipment. Stretching programs are tailored to the individual and their goals and may be visited weekly for a month or two. Many facilities also offer group classes, virtual instruction and more.
Practitioners claim that stretching aids have many benefits, including increased flexibility, blood circulation, and range of motion. It also reduces pain and stiffness and reduces the risk of injury. Assist stretch can improve core strength and posture, shorten recovery time and improve athletic performance. Stretching is also touted as a way to reduce stress levels, improve sleep and increase energy.
StretchLab’s customers are between the ages of 4 and 90 and have a variety of benefits, including those who tend to sit down, those with movement disorders and neuromuscular disorders, and professional athletes.
“Most people are everyday people who have lived a normal life, such as back pain and neck pain,” Baker said. “But those pains aren’t normal. Something isn’t working properly. These are the types of people we support.”
Guidance and consistency
People have the ability to stretch effectively on their own, which is the ultimate goal in many assisted stretch locations, but that usually doesn’t happen, and Stretch *, a New York-based assisted stretch business. Jeff Branigan, co-founder and program director of d, said the city.
“People tend not to grow, or they grow the wrong way,” he said. “They tend to hold positions too long or force themselves into unprepared positions, which can be detrimental to the body.”
Moreover, people simply cannot perform certain stretches on their own. Nor can you achieve as deep a stretch as a pro can.
Much research has not yet been done on the effects of assisted stretches and individual stretches. And some of the studies done provide inconsistent or useless results.
What science says
Lami Hashish, founder of the National Institute of Biomechanics, based in Santa Monica, California, said he is deciding whether auxiliary stretches are better than non-auxiliary stretches. Still, that doesn’t mean that assist stretches aren’t worth it.
“Many people not only stick to a consistent stretching routine, but also find it difficult to push themselves when stretching,” he said. “With that in mind, if going to an auxiliary stretch facility helps keep you consistent, it can prove to be absolutely beneficial.”
It’s not just about pain management
If you’re wondering if assisted stretching can help, Branigan is a good place to try, even if you don’t feel any particular pain. He said that’s because many people have much tighter areas in their bodies than they think. And second, most of us are sitting too much. This is a major health concern.
“Always sitting is like a time bomb,” Branigan said. “Comparing the stress on the body with the stress the athlete puts on the body, it is much easier to help the athlete because the stress on the body is due to activity and movement.”
Whether it’s helping stretch, improving mobility, or just trying out curiosity for an injury, Hashish cautioned. “Being stretch-supported doesn’t mean you have to overdo it,” he said. “So, communicate your pain and limits consistently with your stretch practitioner so that you can put them in the best position to help you.”
It’s too early to tell if assist stretch is just a fad, but Baker is confident that it will stay here. He personally experienced the benefits as Assist Stretch helped him recover after four knee surgeries shattered his hopes for a professional soccer career. He has also heard praise from StretchLab customers.
“They will tell you how it helps their mobility, flexibility and range of motion, which will make them happy, such as hiking and golf.” He said. “If something helps people to do what they like, it’s an easy decision.”
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