Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST™)
Fascial Stretch Therapy™ is a pain-free, therapist-assisted flexibility and mobility system that assesses and improves restrictions to movement in joints, muscles, fascia and the nervous system, providing lasting results.
What is Fascial Stretch Therapy - FST™?
Hold tight, because it’s time to set the record straight. FST™ isn’t your run-of-the-mill Myofascial Release or ordinary “stretching.” We’re talking about a game-changing, researched-to-the-core program that’s unlike anything you’ve encountered.
Picture this: a team of fascia industry experts, fueled by Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains theory, crafting an innovative approach. Their brainchild, Fascial Stretch Therapy™ (FST™), has taken center stage in the American National Football League (NFL), Canadian Football League (CFL), and beyond, revolutionizing training and healing across various sports and conditions.
Who can benefit? Everyone! Athletes, fitness buffs, weekend warriors, and even those wrestling with chronic pain from conditions like Fibromyalgia, Osteoarthritis, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Busy professionals find FST™ a stress-buster with added perks – a savior for those desk-bound aches.
And hey, if you’re curious to dive deeper, check out a quick video straight from the founders. Your journey to unlocking a whole new level of wellness begins now.
What is Fascia?
Imagine your body as a masterpiece of intricate connections – a web of layered tissues that support everything from skin to muscles, even your organs. This network, known as fascia, is the unsung hero of your physical well-being. To get a grasp on what fascia truly is, check out Gil Hedley’s enlightening “The Fuzz Speech.”
Fascia is the buzz of the health and fitness world, yet its full significance remains a mystery to many. It’s the hidden influencer that affects how you move every day, even years after injuries, surgeries, or burns. In fields like physiotherapy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care, fascia’s role is pivotal. Recent research reveals it’s a hub for neurotransmitters, creating its own kind of “pain,” and it houses nerves and blood vessels that supply muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It’s also a critical supporter of joints and bones.
Here’s the kicker: when fascia sticks to surrounding tissue due to injury, it limits your movement and function. Enter Fascial Stretch Therapy™ (FST™). Our multi-dimensional, multi-joint stretches target fascia like never before, releasing restrictions and rejuvenating your body’s masterpiece. With FST™, we’re tapping into a whole new level of transformation.
How is it performed?
Welcome to the world of FST™ – a journey that unfolds on a cozy treatment table within the calm of a private room, led by a certified Fascial Stretch Therapist.
Here’s the setup: we use stabilisation straps to gently secure your limbs. This gives our therapist the magic touch, ensuring precise technique and maximum impact. Clients often share that this experience is like a soothing daydream, with some even drifting into a blissful, sleep-like state.
Now, let’s talk about traction. It’s the secret sauce that creates room within your joints for that sought-after Range of Motion. Your limbs will be taken through a tailored movement pattern, like a dance of discovery, unveiling fascial restrictions that need attention.
Honestly, words can’t fully capture the FST™ sensation until you’re in the moment. Your body will stretch and move in ways you can’t achieve solo, unveiling tension you didn’t even realize existed.
No need to worry about pain – this is all about your comfort. While some areas might feel more intense, it’s not about pushing through pain. It’s about embracing mild discomfort as a sign of transformation in progress. You see, pain triggers your fight-or-flight response, and that’s not where we want to be. Our therapist will guide you through, carefully managing that sweet spot between progress and discomfort.
Remember, pain isn’t our goal – it’s about cultivating positive, lasting change in your body. Our manual therapists are experts at finding that balance and making your experience truly transformative.
Why do we use it?
As the years go by, our mobility tends to slip away at about 10% per decade. Research tells us that almost half of this loss can be attributed to our joint capsules. Regular soft tissue treatments can only do so much, and other manual therapies also have their limitations when it comes to fully accessing the joints.
While Deep Tissue and Soft Tissue massages have been the go-to for years, FST™ brings a whole new dimension. It’s like having a 3D toolbox that can reach areas traditional methods like massage, myofascial release, cupping, and Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) can’t touch.
Here’s the exciting part: clients often feel and see immediate changes in just one session. And with just a few sessions (the exact number varies for each person), these changes tend to stick around – unlike other methods where results might fade in a matter of days.
But it gets even better. When we blend FST™ with our comprehensive approach, weaving in techniques like Functional Range Conditioning® (FRC®) and arming you with the knowledge to manage your own well-being, the transformational results will be unlike anything else you’ve encountered. Say hello to a new level of freedom and vitality.
Want to know more about our 360° Approach
FST is just one tool utilised within our 360° Approach.
Stand alone, or combined with the wider toolset, long lasting results are a reality.
