Active Isolated Stretching

No matter what their underlying health conditions, most of my clients experience significant improvement from a method known as AIS (active isolated stretching). AIS is by far the most efficient and effective exercise system I’ve encountered. In addition to rapidly building strength and flexibility, it can help speed recovery from a wide variety of pain and injury problems. AIS has proven effective in helping elderly people to regain their coordination, fine motor skills, and full range of motion; athletes to achieve maximum performance; and helping individuals with Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, thoracic outlet syndrome, ALS, and other diseases to slow or even reverse the progression of debilitating neuromuscular symptoms. 

 

How It Works
Traditionally, exercise specialists have recommended holding a stretch for up to 60 seconds. Rec.ent research has shown, however, that such prolonged stretching is counterproductive and can actually cause damage to muscles, tendons, and nerves. To maximize flexibility without harming the tissues, AIS stretches are held for no more than two seconds and repeated five to ten times. The practitioner provides just enough assistance to push slightly beyond what you could do on your own, without causing strain. The results are dramatic: within minutes, range of motion at a joint may increase up to 60 degrees. Once you learn the exercises, you can do many of them on your own, using a rope and a few weights.

 

Benefits:

• Healthier muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and joints

• Increased flexibility, strength, and range of motion

• Breakdown of adhesions caused by trauma or inflammation

• Reduced risk of muscle spasms, strains, and tears

• Improved circulation of blood and nutrients, which promotes tissue growth and repair

• Improved circulation and drainage of lymph, which helps eliminate waste

Why Try AIS?

To treat and prevent injuries. AIS speeds the healing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and joints. Combining this technique with other forms of treatment can accelerate the recovery process by up to 50% .And by increasing flexibility, strength, and resilience, it can greatly reduce an individual’s vulnerability to future injuries. 

 

To regain lost capabilities. As we grow older, many of us accept limitations to our body’s functioning (such as a reduced range of motion, decreased strength and flexibility, and impaired coordination or fine motor skills) as an inevitable result of the aging process or degenerative diseases. Through AIS, much of this decline can be prevented or reversed.

 

To feel younger and healthier. Restoring optimal health in areas of the body that have been injured, neglected, or overstressed can have profound effects on a person’s well-being and quality of life. I can attest to this from personal experience; within a few months of trying AIS, I felt about 10 years younger. I have greater flexibility now than I can ever remember having before, and I continue to feel stronger and healthier as time goes by. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these same remarkable benefits with my clients.