First, fascia as a protective layer is much more stable than muscle tissue, imagine that! Though, when we think of stretching we often think more of our muscles and little, if anything at all, of our fascia. Secondly, fascia is divided into two basic types and layers- subcutaneous and subserous, superficial and deep. Subcutaneous fascia connecting skin, muscles and skeletal structures is both deep and superficial and forms continuous sheets over the entire body! The superficial layer is a double layer which is fused and continuous yet it is thicker in the abdomen and thinner in the hands.

Deep fascia is denser and protects the vital internal organs from trauma. It envelops the muscle (w/exception of the superficial muscles of the head, neck and palamar brevis), nerves, blood vessels, lymph vessel, nodes and glands. The deep fascia nourishes the skin and regulates body temperature, thus maintaining homeostasis. It's continuous with the subcutaneous fascial system and connects the superficial layer to the interior, integrating within the deeper body cavities. This is why a woman experiencing premenstrual pain through uterine congestion creates fascial tension that disrupts the normal tensile forces and refers pain to as far away as the top of her head!

Deep fasica is able to store water. Well hydrated fibrous tissue creates a smooth coating allowing fascial structures to glide over each other without friction. Dehydration, inflammatory processes and trauma create adhesions in tissues causing them to act as if they are partially glued. This gluing creates tension and fatigue leading to inadequate blood supply to tissues and surrounding organs and build up of metabolic toxins. Water consumption before, during and after therapy is important in maintaining a well-hydrated fascial matrix.

No only do the subcutaneous and subserous fascial layers connect creating a matrix continuum from the surface of the skin into the deep visceral interior; but additionally, connect all cells, tissues and organs inside the body to the exterior of the skin layers. In your body exist a fascial network full of pathways connecting one part of your body to another, running up to down, down to up, inside to outside and outside to inside.

FasciaI health: Is where it's at.

Our fascial health is affected by both external and internal forces, or environment. External environmental trauma such as injury, overuse syndromes, and poor physical mechanics, such as posture, causes a disruption in the movement of muscular tissue, neurological impulses, channeling of blood and lymphatic fluids, hydration, oxygenation and nutritional homeostasis. Restoring the physiological process continually require adaptations within the three-dimensional fascial fibrous matrix, primarily on the subcutaneous fascial plane.

Facial health is also affected by the body's internal environment. Various disease states such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension and inflammatory conditions of rheumatologic diseases create significant changes within the deeper fascial matrix similiar to external environmental trauma with secondary range of motion limitations, disrupted neurovascular lymphatic channels, functional weaknesses, postural imbalances and secondary contractures. These internal derangements affect the subserous layers and deeper fascial layers than external factors, whereas, external trauma creates more disruption to the superficial subcutaneous fascial layer. This is why people with neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, MS and brain injuries, to name a few, so deeply benefit from Active Isolated Stretching. Diabetics especially love AIS foot work.

External and internal environmental influences affect different planes of fascia which is why therapeutic modalities such as heat, ultrasound, magnetics and massage although they promote restoration of energy fields allowing for facilitation of flexibility and movement fail to address the deeper issue: no pun intended. The deeper myofascial structures close to the pelvis and spine fail to respond to these physical modalities. These modalities are only effective on the more superficial layers of the subcutaneous fascial plane.

An Active Isolated Stretch therapist can provide stimulation of the deeper fibrous fascial matrix through sound knowledge and application of functional anatomy and kinesiology through providing myofascial release done in sequence with precision, releasing outer myofascial sturctures in proper order with the goal of releasing the deeper fascial structures surrounding the joints and visceral structures.

The Mattes Method is an efficient and effective method of restoring both superficial and deep fascial wellnesses.

How should I prepare for my session?

Stay hydrated throughout the day and bring water! The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine actually provides a water recommendation for the minimum amount you need: Men need 3.7 liters of water daily, while women should aim for 2.7 liters -- 125 ounces and 91 ounces, respectively. Keep in mind that not all your water intake has to come from chugging water. You’ll get about 20 percent of your water needs from the moisture in foods and some from the other beverages you drink as well.

If you’re highly active. Sip 17 to 20 ounces of water a couple of hours before working out, suggests the American Council on Exercise. Drink another 8 ounces about half an hour before your warm-up. While exercising, you’ll need 7 to 10 ounces of water every 10 to 20 minutes. Then after you cool down, aim for another 8 ounces of liquid to replace what you lost. By steadily getting some fluid in your system, you should be able to prevent problems with dehydration.

What do I wear?

Come dressed in loose, stetchy clothing; something you might wear to the gym or to yoga. I need to be able to bend and stretch you in all different directions.

Do I have to do anything?

Short answer: yes. AIS is an active form of stretching- you will not just be lying on the table snoozing away. For example, if I'm stretching your hamstrings you may be asked to lift your leg as high up as you can while I then provide additional assistance taking you just slightly further into the stretch. We will do anywhere from 5-12 reps and 1 to 2 sets per stretch, holding the stretch for no longer then 2 seconds.

Don't worry- we can make adjustments in all stretches if you have an injury, pain point or are recovering from surgery.

How long is each session?

Typically most sessions are 1.5-2 hours.

AIS treatment sessions takes longer than one hour. A problem area can require opening up anywhere from 18 to 30 muscles or more: that takes time. The AIS approach is to first lengthen the largest most exterior (superficial) muscles, then go deeper into the body and open smaller muscles that lay underneath. This thorough process of going from the outside muscles to the inner muscles is why AIS is different than conventional stretching and massage and why it is so effective at resolving physical pain issues.

A typical session takes 1.5-2 hours; depending on current health and fitness level. Clients who are treating a chronic illness or condition may require additional treatment time and/or more frequent sessions.

How will I feel after a treatment session?

Clients have reported feeling lighter, more relaxed, freer in their body with a better range of motion and a severe reduction in chronic pain. In short, they feel great!

Cervical neck pain

Cervical disc pain in the C4 C5 C6 C7 region is often due to a herniation or degeneration of the cervical discs. One frequently overlooked reason for C4 C5 C6 C7 chronic neck pain is tightness in the shoulder and chest region. The cause of degenerative or herniated cervical spine disease is primarily muscular tightness. By fully lengthening the muscles that attach to or surround the neck, herniated or degenerated cervical discs will be allowed to heal. Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is the specialized treatment for C4 C5 C6 C7 chronic neck pain.

Hip Pain:

For example, Quadratus Lumborum,aka (Hip-Hiker Syndrome) and

Piriformis Syndrome (Sciatica) are commonly treated with AIS.

Aaron Mattes, the developer of Active Isolated Stretching, states his greatest contribution to the field of bodywork may be the internal and external hip rotator stretches that he designed. The deep six muscles are underneath the glutes, psoas, hamstrings, quadriceps, groin, and I.T. band. Opening the hip rotators needs a trained therapist assisting the process. To prove this point, many dancers and yoga practitioners experience hip pain. Although both groups do extreme amounts of stretching to the outer leg and lower back muscles, after a time they commonly experience hip pain. In part because they can’t get reach the deep six muscles on their own. AIS internal and external hip rotator stretches relieve the pressure off the hip joint creating space inside the hip joint. This provides an atmosphere that allows worn down cartilage to regenerate. Did you know it is possible for cartilage to regrow inside joints, a healthy diet and Active Isolated Stretching are two elements that can facilitate this process.

Hamstrings Lower- Strain/Tear

Lower hamstring problems may be caused by inadequate hamstring flexibility, weakness of the gluteus maximus and adductor magnus are important hip extensors, which if weak, allow increased load on the hamstrings. Hamstring weakness in which the short head and long head of the biceps femoris may not have optimum function together or from weakness during eccentric (lengthening) contraction of the hamstring muscles. The hamstring strain may be at the distal semitendinosus, semimembranosus, or double insertion biceps femoris. This condition can greatly benefit from Active Isolated Stretching.

Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the synovial sheaths covering the tendons. It is seen frequently as a result of trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection. It is frequently caused by trauma to the wrist and prominent swelling usually occurs. Tenderness on pressure over the tendon sheath is a constant finding. The problem may involve the thumb muscles including the abductor pollicis and extensor pollicis brevis (de QuerVain’s Teno Synovitis), which produces a stenosis in the common osteofibrous canal. Pain frequents on moving the wrist and thumb, especially with opposition of the thumb to the little finger and ulnar flexion of the wrist. Historically, there is a short period of injection and immobilization.

Shoulder Impingement

Golfer's Elbow

mprovement in Degenerative Conditions

AIS can reduce the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s such as tremors and rigidity, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, polio, autoimmune and other rhuematological dieases and more.

Compensational shifts and Muscle Imbalances

Athletic Conditioning

Overal General Health

Stress!