Fascial Stretch Therapy

What is Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) is an innovative system of assisted stretching and manual techniques. It is a therapeutic tool used to offset the wear and tear of the fascia.

The fascia is a web like connective tissue that wraps around our muscles, tendons, organs and bones and acts as the “glue” that holds our bodies together. Female physical therapist performing fascial stretch therapy on a male patient with patient in right side-lying and stretching the hip Fascial stretch therapy for hip and quad

Why Would Someone Need Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Wear and tear of fascia is often caused by age or injury. Unfortunately, over time, sometimes that fascia can become “stuck”. When this happens adhesions, also known as scar tissue, can form and this binds the fascia to the underlying structures. When this binding happens, it can cause pain and inflammation.

Fascial Stretch Therapy uses different techniques to promote increased fascial pliability and length. This includes:

Gentle traction
Resist-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching
Focused breathing
Passive range of motion

Female physical therapist performing fascial stretch therapy on a male patient with patient on his back with the Left leg across the right and the therapist stretching the thigh FTS for hip rotation and low back

What are the Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy?

Fascial Stretch Therapy can help you find the perfect balance of stability and mobility in your joints. Increased stability and mobility in your joints will make you less susceptible to injury. It will also result in less joint pain.

Some of the more unexpected benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy consist of:

Reduction of stress
Better balance & posture
Increased circulation & mobility
Decreased recovery time after exercising
Better flexibility (by establishing an increased range of motion around each joint)

FST can benefit just about everyone in ways that you may not expect. It is not just for athletes. FST can be used as a preventative measure and a tool to increase overall health.

Female physical therapist performing fascial stretch therapy on a male patient with patient in right side-lying and stretching the Left shoulder over his head with the elbow bent and locked Fascial Stretch Therapy left shoulder

What Happens When You Stretch the Fascia?

If the fascia is tight, the muscles that it surrounds will have a hard time moving. However, when you stretch the fascia, it allows the muscle to move more freely.

To put it simply, consider the fascia, before stretching, to be like a shirt that’s a few sizes too small. If you try to move when wearing a shirt that is too tight, you are restricted, tense and uncomfortable. However, when you change to a shirt that fits you, you are able to move around comfortably.

During a FST session, the therapist will use straps to aid in gentle stretches that are specific to your needs and goals. At the end of the session, your therapist will give you stretches to do at home to help maintain. Typically, more than one session is recommended.

Click to learn about other ways to treat fascia with the Graston Technique.

By: Joe Stubits, PTA